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During the ‘50’s, Aunt Ruby bought a small cottage in the North Carolina mountains. It was situated away from everything and everybody. Aunt Ruby said she could get some privacy there.
While visiting Aunt Ruby at her alpine-like mountain home, we were fascinated with God's creations located off the beaten path. The entire area was desolate, with the exception of wildflowers and other beauteous things that must’ve been planted by somebody straight outta heaven.
We'd spot a bear, raccoon and a few more wild animals run through the fields occasionally. Thankfully, they simply added beauty to the land. They were the only creatures within spittin' distance.
One afternoon Aunt Ruby and I spotted a little house off the beaten path about a mile from her cottage. We decided to knock on the door.
An ever-so-sweet elderly lady answered, and then she smiled. She had very few teeth, but somehow that didn't matter. Emma’s smile was so warm that she didn't need teeth. That must've been about the time I realized if one sees love in somebody, it doesn't matter what he or she looks like.
Emma and Flora, her sister, treated us with hot tea and warm pound cake. I was young for tea, but I drank it 'cause I liked those ladies. I guess it's because I felt them liking me, too. What a difference life makes when you meet someone who starts bonding to you like scotch tape.
I was shocked when they told us they’d never been off the mountain. They’d never even seen a train. Can you imagine?
There was no question that Emma and Flora were happy that we visited with them. They were hard workers, doing everything all by themselves. They made every morsel of food that hit their taste buds. They worked the land they lived on.
Every spring we’d visit Aunt Ruby, making it a point to run and see Emma and Flora. I’d grab an apple off their tree, knowing they'd be glad I did.
We noticed every time we'd visit Emma and Flora, we’d talk about trains. Finally, one Christmas, we gave them a picture book of trains. Mama bought the book, but she let me sign it as though I planned the whole thing. They were tickled to no end.
After Flora and Emma glared through that book of trains, Emma said, "I didn't know there was so many different kinds. Some trains are colorful, and some are just black until that red caboose pops up at the end. That's such a cute little thing."
"Yep, what a sight," Flora sputtered between her two front teeth. She had the most delightful grin. One hardly noticed that one of her teeth was turning a bit black.
We loved those two. It’s funny. Aunt Ruby said, “I never needed privacy as much as I thought. Who needs privacy when they’ve found friends like Emma and Flora?”
They were always delighted to see us. Come to think of it, I do believe "overwhelmed" is a better term.
One day, Emma took sick. When we arrived that spring, Flora shut the door to Emma's bedroom, and then she looked at us. She said, "You know, Emma still talks about trains. Just the other day, she said, 'I hope I see one before I die.”
Aunt Ruby and I never realized it was that important for anybody to see such a thing as a train. We took trains for granted in the city. Trains seemed a nuisance, especially if we had to wait on one while in a car. Sometimes my mama was late for work because of what she called, "The dad-blame things."
Thankfully, Emma recovered, and we drove them to the train station. If you can imagine, they loved hearing the sounds, and they were thrilled at seeing trains.
*****
After surviving another harsh winter, one spring day we arrived at Aunt Ruby’s, finding out that Emma had taken sick again, with pneumonia. The doctor was with her when Flora, crying, opened the door and invited us into the house.
This time we made Flora hot tea. The doctor came out of Emma's room, saying, "Miss Flora, you'd better see you're sister before it's too late. She's dying."
We waited. Soon Flora came out of Emma’s room sobbing. She said we couldn't have come at a better time, adding that she needed us worse than a mule. I'm not real sure what she meant, but she held us so tight that I figured it must’ve been a compliment.
Flora said, "Emma's last words were, 'We had a good life, Emma, and to think, we got to see a train.'"
We all wept, and then Aunt Ruby and I wept again months’ later cause Flora passed. I guess she thought God needed help with Emma.
Flora left a written note for Aunt Ruby on the little round table next to the sofa. Aunt Ruby called it a will.
It read, "Ruby, thanks for all you did for Emma and me. Your family brought our small house to life. Our home is now your home. If you don't need this old shack, please see that someone who needs it gets it. If nothing else, it'll keep 'em warm. Thanks again for taking me and Emma to see that train."
We all bawled . . . I mean we sobbed.
We loved those two. Yep . . . that's one place in our hearts we’ll always remember, with or without snapshots.
We soon found two elderly ladies that were being mistreated at a local rest home. It was in the papers that the director was accused of abusing two residents.
Today, Gertrude and Henrietta live in Emma and Flora’s house. When we visit them, they serve us hot tea and homemade pound cake just like Emma and Flora once did.
Emma and Flora may have lived off the beaten path but they were right on target when it got down to knowing how to treat and love their fellowman. They sure left us with much to ponder.
Now that I think about it, I wonder if Gertrude and Henrietta have seen a train. It'd behoove to plan a visit and ask ‘em that very thing.
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