A visit from the Martins and Snow on the Mountain

Just like clockwork, when you think it couldn't get any hotter, or any drier, something amazing happens in this part of Austin County.....the most delicate and beautiful white flowers bloom all over the property.  Flowers the locals call "snow on the mountain".  Often wondered if it was the German settlers to the area that named these wild flowers, since there are no mountains and rarely snow in this part of the world. Perhaps they were a reminder of the world that they left behind?  Who knows but each year when the flowers return,  I start to wonder, and also know that the long, hot summer isn't going to last that much longer, that they herald the coming fall and the best time of the year in my little corner of the world.

Yesterday was a very meaningful day for our family and another....the Martins who were the previous owners of Sycamore Farm.  Mr Glenn Martin, who along with his late wife Libby, sold this place to us over 27 years ago, called last week and asked if he could bring his grandchildren and great grandchildren to visit on Saturday morning.  Coincidentally I was going to be at the farm this weekend to prepare for the coming football season, and check on things, so I welcomed them to come  visit a place which clearly holds as many memories for their family as it does for ours.  So late in the morning, three cars pulled in, and Mr Martin, who is now 97, four of his grandchildren and their spouses, and a whole bunch of kids arrived.

Sadly, I learned that Libby had recently died as had one of the Martin's daughters, but it was clear from the comments, smiles and even some tears that for the "cousins" as they called themselves, there were clearly many happy memories rushing back now that they had arrived. They said they saw their Mamaw with a scarf working in the flower bed, the place where one of the boys killed a coral snake, marveled that the same old Formica counters were still in place is the kitchen, and described the bunk beds that used to occupy the inside, and where they pitched their tents in the yard. Mr Martin relayed a story I didn't know, that two children had drowned in the creek below the property, and he cried upon recalling that memory.   They took tons of pictures of the house and with their Pawpaw, and couldn't have been more gracious, or grateful.  They left some fresh pecans and a book written by Mr Martin recalling his time as Major in the Air Force, a part of the greatest generation, personally inscribed with a message from the author.   Repeatedly before their departure they thanked me for this special visit, with Mr Martin saying he hoped he would be able to visit again. I remember when we bought the place that it was very important to the Martin's that the next owners would love the place as much as they had, and I think they found comfort in knowing that indeed we have done just that.

Post Script:  learned recently that Mr Martin passed away in 2019.  May he rest in heavenly peace and know that he is not forgotten at Sycamore Farm!