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Road to Reno |
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Submitted By: Rhonda Ballinger - Calvary/Reno, GA |
Submitted: 1/15/2009
Photo ID: 8658 |
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You can not fine the "Road to Reno" on a map; it's spirital, a place of belonging, family, friends and rich in heritage from the days gone by. I passed through Reno on a daily basis on my journey from my childhood home in Calvary to school in Cairo. I had cousins, aunts and uncles that live in Reno and I never new the value and true meaning of the small tiny community until a few years ago when I had the privilege to become very dear friends with my father's cousin Rebecca Whitfield Van Meter. You see Rebecca at the very young age of 16 had to become a month to her younger siblings and raised her baby boy, only two days old. Through weekly telephone calls, letter exchanges and her column that appeared in the Cairo Messenger, I found the "Road to Reno", a road that only few are fortunate enough to discover and travel. Through Rebecca's teachings, I will be sure to share that special place with those most special to me, and Rebecca. You see, you can not follow the Road to Reno on a map....but when you get there...what a wonderful sense of being complete.
Rebecca you will be forever missed and love by so many. As you knew, you have and will always have a very special place in my heart I reflect back to our telephone conversation last summer, and the statement you made "nothing mechanical can keep us from hearing what is meant to be heard." You were right, I hear it! Thank you for giving me that sense of peace. I love you!
Rebecca Whitfield Van Meter - author of the Road to Reno which appeared in the Cairo Messenger (August 14, 1914 - November 10, 2008. The above photograph was taken with her "prized" Abe Lincoln Rose from her garden. |
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