heartaches and happiness

Heartache- seeing this much open space that used to be a hill full of trees and houses
Happiness - seeing this many cars turn out, more than I ever remember, for the Homecoming Parade. Yes, Cordova is STILL a community!

the Long House,  built in the late 1880s. Crews are working in hopes of restoring it, though after seeing the sides, Bobby wonders if it's even possible. Even more heartwreching (besides the fact a classmate of mine from high school used to live there), is that the view of this house should be obscured by the Methodist church, now demolished.

The "Pig" (Piggly Wiggly), which was a Son's Supermarket when I lived there, was where I had my first official job. FEMA says it's in a 100-year flood plain, meaning the town's only grocery store will receive no assistance if they decide to rebuild.

While happy my town finally erected a monument to honor its fallen, it made me VERY unhappy to see it still in pieces 5 months after the tornadoes. I wanted to find some tubs of crazy glue and put it back together, at least until it can be replaced. I recognize finding people places to live and restoring homes and businesses are top priority (and still an on-going process), but couldn't we at least pick up these pieces?)

The library...and now at this point the tears are rolling.

The drugstore where all the rich kids went for ice cream after the pep rallies
and where the old men went to drink coffee and read the paper in the morning.

The old devil ain't what he used to be...much smaller head and no costume on the bottom!
But...he has a much cooler pitchfork than he did two decades ago.

Rural areas...being a school superintendent is a BIG deal and worth riding in parades!  Of course, he is a Cordova native.

New from a previous decades, teachers walk in the parade! Here is the current CHS principal, Kathy Vincent, dressed as Minnie Mouse. Mrs. Vincent was my HS typing teacher, and a Christian who truly cared about her job and students.

Definitely new to CHS--girls' volleyball! Back in the day, cheerleading, softball and band were the only activities available for girls.

It was great to see that Cordova's Fire Department was well stocked with firetrucks after losing 4 of the 5 engines in the spring tornadoes. The "new" trucks might still bear the names of other towns, but they are present and functioning. The fire chief, on the left, is Dean Harbison, and a former band buddy. He's helping co-ordinate the recovery efforts.

What's left of the Hardware store where my Uncle Charlie worked.

A new and pleasant addition to the press box.

All but one of the classmates who showed up Sat night. We actually had a few others at the game Friday night. It was so good to catch up. So much has happened in everyone's life, both good and bad.  We also lost a classmate 10 years ago.

And classmates with spouses and friends. It was a wonderful night and fun weekend.