Last Saturday, 23 April 2016, my daughter Dora and I drove from Winston-Salem to Charlotte for a visit with Ann and Bonson Hobson. Bonson took us on a tour of “old” places he had selected.
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| The old Sparrow Home |
We got out of the car and walked toward the front of the building. There were several people on the
upstairs front porch, obviously having a good time. I shouted up to them, “I used to live here!” Much to my surprise, one of them yelled back, “Come on up!” This was astonishing.
Filled with joy at this good fortune, Bonson, Dora and I bounded up the 17 stairs that I had not climbed in 58 years. We were greeted warmly by the young woman who had invited us to “come on up.” She showed us the entire apartment, including my old room. Not much had changed. The Arcola furnace which had been in the hallway had been removed. A serving window had been cut in the wall between the kitchen and the dining room. Otherwise, everything was the same.
We went to the porch where we met the woman’s family, including her mom and dad. They offered us a beer. It took much courage for me to decline. But, decline I did. I was so excited to be standing on “my” porch. I simply did not know how to act.
Our new friends seemed to enjoy the encounter as much as we did.
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| Warren, Bonson (in back) and new friends |
It turns out that virtually all the people on the porch were from Winston-Salem. What a hoot!
Do you think Paul Harvey could do something with this story?
“Good day,”
Warren
