A new tradition…
was born last night. Wonderful, yet bittersweet… Three years ago, she sent me a note telling me about a fabulous play in town, one that would have a personal connection for myDarlin’ and me. And try as we may, our dates didn’t coincide with their, but we decided to go anyway.
And we drove into the night on that ribbon of highway filled with bright lights seeming to reach for the stars, into the indie-bohemian neighborhood of Little Five Points, we were filled with anticipation. You see, Waffle House had become part of our life, and we wondered how, or should I say ‘if’ this play would be able to capture that feeling.
Lavender hued hallways lined by blue Christmas lights lead the way to the well-worn wooden stairs… to the desk with friendly faces. As we enter the doorway, the path leads directly to the set – the stage, surrounded by old wooden theatre chairs. We walk up the stairs, creaking with each step, and take our seats – not a bad one in the house. I reach over and give myDarlin’ a kiss on the cheek and thank him for the beginning of a wonderful night. Any evening with him was always a treat as our conversation and souls intertwined in conversation.
The lights, just like those at a Waffle House, dim for the first act…. This is the beginning of a story that touches ones heart with laughter and tears, hopes and dreams, temptations and triumph, and historical ATL truth with just the right touch of fiction. And we took photos with the cast afterward, sharing our very own Waffle House stories and the place it has in our lives.
Three years gone by…. the flyer came in the mail – and I thought about going for the third time, but thought to myself, it just wouldn’t be the same….
As we were out, our daughters asked what I was doing one week from today – checking my calendar, racking my brain – nothing. OK, be ready to go at 7:30pm. Trust – yes, curiosity – you bet! And they picked me up and we drove into the night on that ribbon of highway filled with bright lights seeming to reach for the stars. We recollected the story of how their Dad, myDarlin’, was full of guesses when we took him for a surprise birthday dinner and laughed. So I began to guess…. And as we turned into the indie-bohemian neighborhood of Little Five Points, I knew it was none other than the Waffle Palace! But who could we be meeting?
And as we climbed the well-worn wooden stairs, there they were… You see, it was she that a short three years ago, sent me a note telling me about a fabulous play in town. I know that myDarlin’ was smiling his big ear to ear grin as we watched, and laughed and cried, and took photos on the set.
A perfect ending to a perfect night…. None other than at the Waffle House with Ohana. I listen to him pray and feel myDarlin’s presence and hear this song from the play echoing in my heart.
Oh come angel band
Come and around me stand
Bear me away on your snow white wings
To my immortal home
Bear me away on you snow white wings
To my immortal home
Come and around me stand
Bear me away on your snow white wings
To my immortal home
Bear me away on you snow white wings
To my immortal home
I've almost gained my heavenly home
My spirit loudly sings
The holy ones, behold they come
I hear the noise of wings
My spirit loudly sings
The holy ones, behold they come
I hear the noise of wings
Today I am filled with gratitude for wonderful WH memories with myDarlin’Robert Kenui Pope and Ohana. And a new tradition is born, for every year from here on out, you will find me at the Waffle Palace.
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