When I was young we lived in a trailer in Marion, IL a stones throw away from a local market. Every time we went into the market my father would greet the owner with a happy, boisterous, "Hello, Neighbor!"
For years I truly thought that man's name was Neighbor. I didn't know any better. I was a kid. I only discovered that the man's real name was Pruitt when he passed away when I was in high school. He was a happy man that I have fond memories of.
Another person I have fond memories of is a set of brothers from Tamaroa, IL. We used to drive through this town on Rt. 51 every time we went to see my grandparents who at the time lived in Cambria, IL. These two men who owned a junk yard used to sit in lawn chairs at the curve in the road and wave at every car that drove by. My sister and I always made sure we were watching and waved back. We named them the Waverly Brothers. I even saw a story about them in Reader's Digest once.
Their smiles and happy waves made everyone that drove by smile a little brighter.
We have our own Waverly Brother right here in Centralia. His name is T. Jones and he is a crossing guard for the 4th Grade Center and coincidentally helps children cross the same street the original Wavery Brothers lived on.
As I wave at him every morning I think of Neighbor and the Waverly Brothers and wave back with a big smile on my face. I appreciate T. Jones. He gives a great service to the world. He makes me smile every morning. And not just me, but many other commuters on their way to work.
Thank you to T. Jones, Neighbor and the Waverly Brothers. I salute you.
My prayer for you today is that you remember those people from your past that you have fond memories of, celebrate them today, be thankful for their great influence on your life.
Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. — 1 Chronicles 29:13
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