Silent and Forgotten!

I took this photo yesterday.
An old dilapidated building; who would look at it twice?
I would – when I look at it, I see what it once was!
It is surrounded by a fence to keep people out – I remember it welcoming people in!
It is boarded up and empty… with a ‘for sale’ sign out front. Silent and forgotten! But I remember it full of life and laughter.
The “For Sale” sign almost looks embarrassed at what it is offering.… No one sees the value . But I remember.
This old building holds a very special place in my childhood memories!

Fifty years ago I was a little girl going to Peardonville Elementary School. A homey little two room school.
Across the street was the little country store, called Peardonville Store. It was managed by Jean Peardon, a daughter of one of the original families to settle in the area. .
The store was a special place. It was where the neighbourhood came for local gossip, to fill up their cars with gas, to buy basic necessities from its well stocked shelves – from grocery items to hardware - or just to stop and say hi to Jean!
But that’s not why I remember the store!
I remember the candy, the pop, the gum and the ice-cream.
Oh, the goodies were amazing in a child’s eye!

On any given school day, someone would have spending money and at recess or lunch hour the eager question would be asked of Miss Cooper, “May I go to the store?”
And Miss Copper would smile and nod .
Permission given, little feet wasted no time !
The one with the pennies, nickel or dime would not go alone. A friend was always given the privilege of going along to make the difficult choice of what the treats would be. I especially remember the jaw breakers and liquorish, bubble gum and always ice-cream!

If one of our classmates was very rich one day, they might have as much as a quarter to spend - that meant that they could buy enough candy to share with all their friends.

I had a girlfriend whose parents were very generous with giving her spending money so she would often share with me. On the rare occasion that I had spending money I was happy to return the favour!
When my grandmother visited from far-away Manitoba, she would get a twinkle in her eye when we were ready to leave for school and would press a quarter in our hands to spend at lunch time!! I remember how rich those quarters made me feel.

How much our coins could buy in those days!
I remember one day I was especially hungry for ice-cream and I clutched a dime in my hand. I asked Jean if she could give me a ten cent ice-cream cone. She laughed and said she could not pile it up that high!! So I settled for the regular five cent cone—ice-cream pressed all the way down into the cone and three scoops on top!!

Jean never married, so she enjoyed the kids coming in, their eyes big with anticipation and she would patiently count out the pennies they owed her.

Yesterday as I looked at the building, I could almost hear again the happy chatter and laughter of children’s voices….but they faded into the silence of an old forgotten building that will surely be torn down by someone who has no memory of what it once was.

It made me sad thinking how everything changes, breaks down, wears out, people move away, buildings are torn down.
But that is the essence of this life… the dominating factor --- nothing here lasts forever.

Perhaps it is necessary for us to see the decay of things we once valued and loved…so we are reminded that this world will pass away and everything in it. We can’t hold on too tight!!
There is an old poem – the author is unknown- that you may have heard before but I came across it again today.
Its poignant message is that the things of this world are fleeting – only one thing will endure beyond our earthly life!

Only One Life

Two little lines I heard one day, Traveling along life's busy way;

Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart;

Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done;

Then, in 'that day' my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgement seat;

Only one life,'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice

Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God's holy will to cleave;

Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;

Each with its clays I must fulfill, living for self or in His will;

Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore, When Satan would a victory score;

When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord with joy to say;

Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;

Faithful and true what e'er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life;

Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn, And from the world now let me turn;

Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;

Only one life, "twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say,"Thy will be done";

And when at last I'll hear the call, I know I'll say "twas worth it all";

Only one life,'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.