Sunday, July 8, 2012

Barn Charm: Childhood Memories

As time goes by many old storefronts and farms I knew in my childhood give way sometimes to progress, sometimes to decay and sometimes they hold on. Such as the old weathered barn in this photo.
This little barn sits in the bend of a lonely rural road. Across that road sits a little white clapboard house. It's nothing fancy. Some would say it's just a meager little abode. Both hold a dear place in my heart.
This little farm was once the home of my school bus driver who drove me to school from first grade to high school graduation. Many times I saw that big yellow Number 26 bus parked in front of this barn.
The driver's name was Romie and that's what we called him. There were no formalities needed. He was a small bald man who always wore a cap of some kind. He watched out for all us and always spoke kindly even to the boys who got a little out of hand. I have fond memories of his watching out for me. One particular time I had gotten on the bus to go home from Jr. High and an older boy sat down beside me and acted like he was going to kiss me and I hit him and he got mad.  Romie yelled, 'Ronnie, come up here.'  Of course Ronnie said he didn't do anything and Romie told him he had seen  what he had done in his rearview mirror. Ronnie had to sit on the front seat.  Ronnie was a snobby kid in one of those groups of people we called 'cliques'. I never liked him and he never bothered me again.
Then there was the time my little brother didn't get on the bus at the grade school and Romie asked me when he got to the high school where he was. My Mom had picked him up at school . Romie wanted to be sure he hadn't left him.
The time I hold dearest was when we got to school one morning Romie took a hold of my arm and stopped me. Back then teachers and school personnel weren't afraid to give hugs or reach out to you. Romie looked up at me from his seat and asked if I was ok. I looked at him and told him yes. He said he had looked back at me two or three times and it looked like I was crying. (I road the bus eleven miles). I smiled and said no, my mascara was clumping my eyelashes and it was making my eyes water.. He said if I was sure that was all. I told him yes and he said ok and let me go. He was just watching out.
Romie passed away many years ago and I don't think the farm is in his family any longer. Each time I pass by I remember a kind and gentle man who was a big part of my life.
Oh, that Christmas wreath hanging on the barn. It's been there constantly for the past five years at least. :)
Linking to Tricia's Barn Charm.

28 comments:

Colin (HB) said...

Just lets say Carletta. "Those were the days my friend". I think there is such a song?
Just cherish the memories, they won't come back these days. Thanks to - well you know, I know and others can come to their own conclusions.
Actually I think there are still people like Romie but these days they live in terror of being charged with improper behaviour. All because they show concern.

I really like that barn - good memories for you.
Cheers
Colin ( Brisbane.Australia)
Weather report: 5.15pm Tues. 10th July. Raining now, sunny and on and off rain. Just unpredicable and annoying.

diane b said...

A charming old barn to match the warm and fuzzy memories. We could do with a lot more Romie's in the world today.

TexWisGirl said...

what a sweet, caring man. you made this barn very special to us, too. :)

Rose said...

Wonderful post, Carletta. Don't you miss those days.

JunieRose2005 said...

Oh, Carletta, what wonderful memories you have of that very kind bus driver-and friend! And I love the barn picture. May it stand for many more years to come!


Junie

Elizabeth Edwards said...

those were the days. i had many similar happenings on my bus. i was very fond of my bus drivers as a kid. they made me feel like part of their family. kind of makes me want to cry. i hope kids these days have the chance to be in similar situations & feel loved by others. such a great barn. & love your memories too. (:

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Cool old barn- made all the more so because it is wrapped up in your memories of childhood!

Kathy said...

I love the doors on this barn. They're so unique and almost look like they were cut out with a jigsaw.

Red said...

I like he way you use the barn to tell a good story. A great tribute to an unsung hero. Some bus drivers are awesome and some are really terrible.

Elaine said...

Romie's barn is beautiful, and I'm glad it's still standing and reminding you of that wonderful caring man. The world needs more people like him.

Mari said...

I love the barn and the memories you shared make it even more special!

Brian King said...

A great man and an awesome barn! Love that wood and the weathered appearance!

Grandma Barb's This and That said...

A great barn and great memories to go with it. Thanks for sharing the memories with us.

Cheryl @ TFD said...

I love this rustic old barn and the story you told about it's former owner, Romie. Thanks for sharing!

Tanya Breese said...

what sweet memories...i wish there were more "romies" in the school system these days :)

Sonya @ Under the Desert Sky said...

What a great old barn, but the story is what gives it such a special character.

Jan n Jer said...

What a sweet story! Kindness is always remembered in a person n Romie sounds like a very kind person!

Kim, USA said...

Kind of sad I see many barns abandoned, alone and almost ready to give up. But I also heard many young men wish to have barns but just couldn't afford to build one. Love your story thanks for sharing.

Kim,USA

Amy Burzese said...

What a great story. My neighbor drove a school bus for many years too. I didn't ride his bus, but I remember it always being in their yard. His wife drove a bus also.

kayerj said...

that was a very nice post.

Robyn said...

Carletta
It's the small things in life that really are the big things. Thank You for sharing your wonderful memories. I had a smilar type of bus driver when I was in Kindergarden.

Robin said...

Warm and loving memories, he sounds like a very special man to have carved them so deeply in your memory.

Debbie said...

Such wonderful memories Carletta...happy tears for the good old days ♥

((Hugs))

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Such a great story Carletta -- it makes you think about how each of us can make a difference just in the way we conduct our regular affairs -- you can affect so many people. Lovely the way the barn evokes these good memories -- thanks for sharing them.

Neal said...

Such great memories. No matter what people say a lot of things were much better back in those days.

Becky said...

What a wonderful story Carletta. I loved reading it, and why can't life be like that now. The kids that ride my granddaughters bus are so out of hand, and the driver pays no attention. Back in my day if the bus driver even looked cross at one of the kids, that was enough. I think it's called respect!

Craver Vii said...

A touching tribute to a kind-hearted soul. Very nice, Carletta.

ZielonaMila said...

Beautiful photograph, interesting post. I am greeting