Nashville Bound in 1953 12/26/2011
Willie had the bus tickets, the tickets to the show at the Ryman and the receipt for the hotel room in hand and was ready to take that trip to Nashville he'd won from National Life Insurance Company. First he and Helen needed to get their children settled in with those that would be taking care of them while they were gone. As it turns out, Grandma and Grandpa Rhodes were going to keep the boys, and Helen's sister, Louise would keep all three girls. Their first stop was at Grandma and Grandpa Rhodes house, so they could see all the kids. Jimmy and Larry had their paper sack with a change of clothes inside and a few things to play with while they were there. The girls gave out their hugs to everyone then Willie and Helen hugged their boys good n tight and said they'd see them in a couple of days. Next stop was to Louise's house to drop off Sissy, Linda and Paula. Paula hung on to mom, but quickly let go when she saw that Sissy and Linda were sticking around. She was okay as long as her sissies were staying too! Helen wiped a tear away from her cheek as she waved goodbye from the car window. She and Willie were going to have a great time, but she would miss all her kids. It's funny how your kids can make ya a little crazy, but you miss them so much when you are away from them. She looked straight ahead as they pulled off so as not to see those faces looking back at her...she looked over at Willie to tell him "the kids will be fine" (she was saying that to convince herself as much as Willie)  They caught the bus in Sikeston, MO that would take them to Nashville, TN - the town they called Music City. The trip took about 4 hours and they were so excited to finally be there. After they were settled in their room at the hotel, Willie and Helen decided to explore a little bit of downtown Nashville. Broadway was all a bustle with activity, with cars parked along the curb and people coming in and out of stores and bars. You could hear country music blaring out of the bars, and they even passed some musicians on the street that were playing the guitar and singing... wanting you to drop some money in their guitar case. There were a few places that they didn't dare set foot in, but they did take a peek through the windows. Wow! this town is huge! They didn't dare go down Printer's Alley...looked kind of rough down that way. They walked by the Ryman Auditorium, where they would be watching a show tomorrow night. They weren't sure who would be playing at The Grand Ole Opry while they were there, but just getting to be there was a thrill.  Before they went back to their hotel, they would go and check out the National Life Building. It was close to their hotel anyway, and they really wanted to see the place that housed Willie's insurance company. They were so glad they had decided to go through the National Life Building and see the solid wood paneling and marble floors...it was gorgeous! All this walking had worn them out, and they were ready to venture back to their hotel and find the room they checked into earlier to rest for a while before supper. Tomorrow would be a busy day. Comments Your comment will be posted after it is approved. Leave a Reply |  Author
Paula Tollison Andrews Maupin I am married to Bobby and live in the Nashville, TN area, working as Executive Assistant to both the Director of Sales and General Manager of FOX17, MyTV30 & CW58 television I have 3 wonderful sons and daughters in
love (Brad & Holly Andrews, Bryan & Stacy Andrews and Brandon
& Ashley Andrews) from Tulsa, St. Louis & Springfield
respectively. They have given me 9 precious grandbabies. (Joseph,
Cooper, Margo, Sloan, Jonas, Nora, Everett, Lawson and Blythe & Gma
loves them so much) I also have 2 great stepsons and daughter in love
(Jonathan & Kathryn Maupin and William Maupin) from Lexington,
Kentucky.
As a lady who's lived through both good & bad circumstances in my life, I've learned and continue to learn a lot of "life lessons". Along the way I have been inspired to be a better me. God is faithful in ALL circumstances and His love covers all. My hope is that you will be inspired to be who you were meant to be. I have been writing this blog about my mom and dad since September of 2011. You can find their story from the beginning by going to the Stories link. Happy Reading!!!   ArchivesMarch 2012 |
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