I have no idea what this is about. Maybe you do.
Choir Director: Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
Photo Archivist: David Stewart. Thanks for this really neat photo, Dave!
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It rang the day I was born and everyone in town back then heard it during the snow so close to Christmas. Mom said it was a beautiful day all around.
The church, merging with a newer, more vibrant congregation, decided they’d close the building and institution after 150 years. They let me ring the bell the final time. Each clang brought a flood of memories … Bible studies, choir music, potlucks.
Lumps caught in my throat.
Mom walked up and looked at me. “I know. It hurts for me, too. But, that sound makes it a beautiful day all around.”
wmqcolby 
it’s sad and lovely at the same time.
Thanks, KZ. I miss that bell.
Aww,such a sweet memory-sad they decided to do away with it but glad that mother put it all in perspective:-)Well done!
Well, a seed has to die in order for there to be life and it can be painful. But, the benefits … WOW! Thanks. 🙂
I agree:-)
The last ringing of the bell–a celebration of the past and an announcement of the perhaps-not-so-personal future; but a future for your church, nonetheless. A fine nostalgic memoir.
Thanks, vb. Something I’ll always remember.
How nice that the narrator got to ring the bell one last time. Buildings and sounds can be associated with so many things, good or bad, can’t they?
janet
And smells, too. Don’t forget those. Every time I smell a wood-burning, gas-powered stove, I remember my grandma’s house.
Mine had wood-burning stove and then added another, gas, stove. I miss our wood-burning stove, which was just for heat, not for cooking.
Cool!
A beautiful day all around. I like your take on the prompt.
Thanks for stopping by!
Dear Kent,
A beautiful story all around. I know perfectly well what it’s about. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
😉
Nicely written.
Thanks, Mr. B. Coffees all-around. 😉
Such wonderful memories!
Like the old song went, “Oh, no they can’t take that away from me.” Thanks for reading.
Intriguing story.
Thanks, Kim. I appreciate that. I have read some of your writing. Rochelle highly recommended it. She’s right.
Thank you and thanks to Rochelle.
Good and well-done memory in story form. A bright outlook for the future
Glad you liked it. I really didn’t know what I was writing about, but it came through regardless, huh? 🙂
Well done .. a real bittersweet tone well executed.
Thank-you, Bjorn. I like aiming for that, but I don’t want to write that style all the time … I might get sent a straight jacket!
That was poignant. Really good.
Thanks, Jackie. Like Dean Martin sang, “Memories are made of this.”
Funny you should quote music. I was just thinking about memories being jarred by sounds (like bells) but also music.
The first time I saw you I said to myself, “That guy looks like a real bell ringer.” Looks like I had you pegged all along. Nice piece of nostalgia, Kent.
Hahahahaha! Better a bell-ringer than to get my bell rung. Thank-you, Russell!
You did a great job making the circle of life tangible here!
Oh, thanks, Riya! It was a good memory.