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Precious memories
Memories held dear will vanish from the eyes of the customers needing to pick up a couple things from the store. Our family will not forget. In 1947, my grandfather, Roy Laverne Mott Sr., purchased a piece of property from Earl Nichols. A few years later, he purchased an adjoining piece of property which, in 1960, he built his television and radio repair shop. There was a little sandwich shop called the Rose Inn that stood on the rise above Papa's property. Over the years, the little burger shop changed, added on, and adapted, and became the famous Alabama Grill. "The Grill" became a favorite place for family gatherings. There was a little step from Papa's land to the restaurant, and children have jumped onto and off of this step for many years while the older family struggled to maneuver the rise. This step became somewhat of a legacy for the older generations as they watched the young children do the same as they had done in years past. This pathway is engraved on the minds of family as if they had footprints left behind only covered by a new building. Annie Kate Mott, Laverne's wife of 56 years, was a dedicated mother, an accomplished cook, and master gardener. Before her sons lay down to sleep at night, she would take a warm wash cloth and wipe the dirt from their feet. A diligent home worker, a single piece of dust would catch its death before it touched any object in her house. This beautiful lady cooked meals for her family to enjoy in the house that no longer stands. Many still comment on her skills in the kitchen. Her caramel cake was delicious! She spent her later years working the land for planting and maintaining flowers. Her roses were beautiful, her iris' were exquisite, and her landscaping was to be admired. On this land, in the house that has now past, she took her last breaths. Words cannot describe the embodiment of family that one house or one piece of land can hold. This writer remembers the fullness of joy and love experienced by calling together the family for a home cooked meal or to simply talk or play music. These types of memories are shared with many of those who have lost or sold family land. Our only consolation during this season of change is the promise of a land that will never die. When you go to Walgreens to pick up your items, please remember you are standing on memories held dear to many as an integral part of their childhood, teen years, and adulthood. The land will not forget our footsteps.
Autumn Mott Calvert of Huntsville writes of her childhood growing up in Thomasville.
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