Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Grandfather

I told you that I love the train and it has special meaning to me, but I never really told you why.

It was in the 1930's during the depression.  There was a BIG storm that lasted 3 or 4 days, and the town was in bad shape from the flood.  The storm flooded sections of the railroad track, and the railroad workers were dispatched to make repairs.  They were coming home that night in a pair of open railroad cars when they collided with a gravel-filled car coming the other way.   Eleven men were killed, and one of them was my grandfather.  The accident devastated the town, and everyone was crying.   Railroad workers were making about 35 cents an hour, which was a low wage at the time, but a valued position.  My grandfather left behind a widow (my grandmother) and five children, and my father was only 10 years old.



Every time I hear the sound of the train whistle blowing, I think of my grandfather, and even though I didn't get a chance to know him, I feel him with me and honor him for his dedicated work on the railroad.
 
 
~Sheri

27 comments:

Stephanie said...

Oh Sheri, what a touching post in memory of your dear grandfather. I am sorry you never got to meet him, but I have an idea he lived on through your dad. Thank you for sharing this precious post.

Love and hugs to you!

Susie said...

Sheri, I am sorry you did not get to know your grandfather. I too love trains . My uncle Luke worked for N and W. I have seen him swing a pick axe to get old cross ties out...while the younger fellows watched. There's a fellow here in our town that used to work with my uncle....back in the day hobos used to jump the trains to ride anywhere. The authorities came to the rail yard one day and ask my uncle had he seen any hobos about...he said, "Those guys over there are hobos", and pointed to a group of men. Well , they were the other fellows from his work crew. Not hobos at all. LOL. I still love to hear the train whistles. Hope you have some pictures of your grandfather. Blessings, love, xoxo, Susie

Sherry said...

your precious heart... ♥

Pilar said...

I love reading posts like this Sheri! This post is so touching and endearing! I'm sorry that you never had the chance to meet him, but at least you have the railroad and family stories to remember his legacy! Thanks for sharing!

Terra said...

The train whistle blowing must be a sweet sound to your ears as you are thankful for your grandfather.

Things and Thoughts said...

How tender to keep and cherish those memories...So sorry you never knew him, Sheri.
Love, Olympia

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

Dear Sheri, I'm so sorry about your grandfather. What a terrible accident! Life is so fragile. I am reminded by your memory to live each day to the fullest. Thank you for honoring your grandfather with this post. Hugs to you my friend. ♥

Nancy's Notes said...

Thank you for sharing such a heartfelt story. Your grandfather I'm sure knows your heart!

decorayadora said...

Gracias por mostrarlos esa bonita historia ,, su abuelo debe estar feliz adonde el este

Net - "It's a Wonderful Movie" said...

Oh my, Sheri, that was shared so honorably in his memory. I will think of you both next time I hear that train whistle blow.

God bless you, Honey! Net

Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary said...

Oh Sheri, I am so sorry about your grandfather. I am sure he is watching over you all the time. It's a shame that you never got to meet him, but I am sure your father has many of his good traits.

Have a great rest of the week.

Hugs,
Mary

NanaDiana said...

What a sweet memory tribute to your granddad. I am so sorry you never to get to know him though. xo Diana

Carla from The River said...

Hello Sherri,
Thank you for the memory. I also did not meet my one grandpa, he was killed in an accident in front of my dad.

I always wanted to meet him and know what he was like. He sounded like a fun man from the memories from my dad.

Love, Carla

Karen said...

That was a tragic time for all those families. This was a beautiful tribute to your grandfather and makes me think of all the men who built the railroads so long ago.

Marina in Blue said...

What a tragedy! I'm so sorry , your Grandma's life had to be very hard. Hugs from Spain

Patricia said...

Oh what a sad story of a very disastrous event. Your poor grandmother must have had such a difficult time losing her husband and raising her family alone. Lovely photos and a very special tribute to your grandfather Sheri.

Jeanie said...

OH Sheri, this story is heartbreaking. And yes, I can see why the sound of a train or passing one or the tracks bring back memories of the soul, even though you never met him. I so applaud your grandmother being able to raise a large family alone. What a thoughtful and beautiful post this is.

Row homes and Cobblestones said...

Beautiful share in memory of your Grandfather.
xoxo,
Vera

Dewena said...

We too easily forget family stories if they're not passed down and this one is so important, Sheri. Not that it couldn't happen today but I'm sure accidents of this kind were probably even more a part of people's lives then. Tragedy is always possible the next day and so it's vital to let our loved ones know they're loved today.

What a terrific responsibility your grandmother had, didn't she?

Draffin Bears said...

Dear Sheri,

Such a poignant story and so very sorry you never got to meet your Grandad.
Your Grandmother must have had a huge job bringing up the big family on her own.
A lovely tribute to your dear Grandfather and thanks for sharing.
Hope you have a lovely weekend
Hugs
Carolyn

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Dearest Sheri, hello!

I know the feeling of being sensitive to sensory triggers; I live near the General Mills processing plant. In the mornings, I can smell the aroma of OATMEAL cooking. I immediately think of my mother standing at the stove, stirring my oatmeal, before I ran off to school. The power of memory...

It's me said...

So Sad post......i have also have had no grandfather....and my father did the Same work.....love Ria x

Imogen said...

Wow. What a memorable and meaningful story. I felt so much reading this. Thank you for sharing.

roughterrain crane said...

Time goes by. But you still remember your grandfather. He is smiling sweetly.

Susan said...

That was a beautiful, albeit sad, post, Sheri. Your poor Grandma was left with the kids. How tragic that such things happen in this life. Hard to understand, isn't it? Susan

Lowcarb team member said...

Such a special post, which although was sad, it was so lovely to read.
Special memories you have shared here Sheri.

All the best Jan

Anonymous said...

Such a terrible and heartbreaking tragedy. I'm so very sorry, Sheri. What a blessing that the sound of the train whistle gives you comfort. At one of our homes, I could hear the train around 3 or 4 a.m. and it was comforting to me, also. Many of the neighbors disliked it waking them. God bless your day.
Mildred