Visiting Robbins

I've been on a little trip, of sorts. That's right. Things fell into place this week making it possible for Shelby and me to visit our beloved little home town of Robbins. What a fun day we had, but you know what? As the title of the book by Thomas Wolfe says, "You can't go home again". That longing in my heart to relive those sweet childhood memories just can't be. 

We drove the old familiar street past the grammar school and along the sidewalk that we so often walked, all the way up past the mill where Daddy worked, on up to the houses on the hill and there it was. Our house! The same little house, upgraded a bit, but the same little house.

The land and the big trees look the same and the little houses are the much the same...

That sidewalk came all the way down the hill at the side of our house and then went all the way around the block. We wore out many a pair of roller skates and suffered many skinned knees and elbows on this very sidewalk. Shelby and I laughed when she reminded me of the time she walked a barrel down that hill! 

Back down the hill and across the street was Kennedy's store. With a dime we could buy a pepsi and some candy...

As Daddy moved up at the mill, and in the Textile world, the family moved from the small house to a bigger nicer home just up the hill and across the street. I was saddened to see that this home was rundown and not nearly as beautiful as it was in the 1950's.

This is the home I want to go home to, but never can...

Those lovely bay windows, now covered with blue curtains, were in our living room. The living room where mama and daddy entertained friends and family...

The living room where mama played the piano and sang the old songs that I remember and love today...

The living room where mama held Randall when he was less than a month old...

And the textile mill where daddy worked, the mill that made Robbins a booming little town. Nothing now but a pile of bricks...

It was sad going back because so many things in Robbins have changed or disappeared completely.

Shelby and I left Robbins and drove to Seagrove...ever heard of all the potters and pottery shops in Seagrove? Anyway, we stopped by to see our niece Vicki and take her to lunch, which made the day even more special.

I have more pictures and stories, and hope to be back soon.

Thank you for stopping by.

Love,

Henny Penny

Robbins, North Carolina