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.