Good Night from 116 Cedar Street - Changing Neighborhoods

Growing up on Cedar Street holds so many memories of life in a small town called Algood, Tennessee.

My brothers Billy and Bobby and I knew all the summer fun we had enjoyed was soon coming to an end.

My dad, Clarence Hunter, was a carpenter. He built many houses in and around Algood and also did remodeling and roof repairs.

One day, something seemed different when Dad came home a little early.

My brothers and I were in the backyard, and I remember running into the house hoping maybe we were loading up and going out to eat.

You see, back then, it took a very special occasion for the family to load into the car or truck and go out for dinner.

Well, as soon as we entered the house, our hopes were let down like the air coming out of a balloon.

Mom, Jean Hunter, was in the kitchen finishing dinner.

Of course, the smell of home-cooked goodness was always a welcome treat.

After dinner, we loaded into Dad’s old truck. You know, back then we actually rode in the back of the truck.

Not knowing where we were going, I asked my brothers if they had any idea.

Neither one did.

We drove down Cedar Street, over to Second Avenue and then onto Main Street.

We passed Algood School and then the Algood Rock Quarry before turning onto Mirandy Road.

As we got closer to Durant Street, we became excited. We thought we were going to visit our close friends Willie and Willene Flatt and their children Raymond, David, Roger, Marcia and Terry.

But wait a minute.

Dad passed their street right up.

The next street was Mirandy Heights subdivision.

As we drove through, we noticed a newly developed area with about four houses. We made our way around to 127 Chilcut Street, where Dad pulled into a large vacant lot.

My brothers and I hopped out, thinking we were about to go exploring.

But then we realized we were standing in a big open field with a small creek running along one side of the property.

Dad and Mom looked at us and said, “This will be your new home.”

At first, we thought, “OK. Where is the house?”

Dad explained that he had purchased the large lot from his friend Burlee Cooper. Mr. Cooper owned his own bulldozer and did excavation and ground work.

My brothers and I became even more excited when Dad later rolled out the blueprints for our future home.

Looking at the plans, we realized this new house would be more than four times larger than our current two-story wood-frame house on Cedar Street.

Wow.

We would have our own bedrooms.

We explored the lot and the adjoining woods. Before long, Dad had staked out where our new home would sit. He told us the footers would be dug next, then poured, and after that the blocks would be laid.

We could hardly wait.

We were especially excited to tell our friends, the Flatts, that we would be moving only about two blocks away.

As we loaded back into the truck and drove away, we looked back at that empty lot, trying to imagine what our new home would look like.

But as we came around the corner and returned to Cedar Street, reality began to settle in.

We would soon be leaving our home.

It was the only home I had known from birth until the age of 7.

All our friends were there.

All our memories were there.

We walked quietly into the house and sat down.

What had first been excitement suddenly carried a little sadness with it.

I only have a few more stories to tell about growing up on Cedar Street.

Then, we will begin the stories of 127 Chilcut Street.

We were still growing up in Algood, but a new and exciting chapter was about to begin.

There are many stories to tell and many names to share.

As I close this story, I am reminded that life is a very quick trip.

Just like life itself, there are many changes, both good and not so good.

In the end, the seasons we live through help define who we are.

Leaving the past and moving toward the future can bring sadness, but it can also bring joy.

We pick and choose our battles.

I choose peace, even when I do not feel like it.

Sometimes, we have to pick up the pieces and allow God to provide the glue. As He places those pieces back together, they fit in His timing, not ours.

Changing neighbors brings new adventures, new friends and new relationships.

And I think life can be much the same way.

If we know Jesus, when we pass from this life, I believe we are simply changing neighborhoods.

I do not fear death. I am at peace, and I pray you are, too.

Only God can give you the peace that passes all understanding.

Allow Him to walk you through the changes.

From an old home to a new home, sometimes we are simply changing neighborhoods.

As I close, I have a tear in my eye as I reflect on the many stories I have shared about growing up on Cedar Street.

As I lay my head down to sleep, I rest knowing God was with me then, and He is with me now.

Until next time, sweet dreams and God’s blessings from 116 Cedar Street.