It was a special day. The entirety of the third grade at
Hannah’s school had an art show. Each student named a local landmark to paint
for the show. In the weeks prior to the show, the students tapped their
creative sides to put paint to canvas providing their interpretation of a famous
local location. They also spent time researching their chosen landmark to write
a blurb that appeared alongside their painting. On the big day, we dressed up,
entered the school library to see each student in Hannah’s class standing by
their painting while also willing to sign autographs.
About a year earlier, Hannah’s grandparents and uncle took her to the Lookout Mountain Incline
Railway. Lookout Mountain rests on the southern side of the city of
Chattanooga. At the top of the mountain is a breathtaking view of the city.
There, a rail car can lower you to the foot of the mountain into the St. Elmo
neighborhood. Then, the rail car makes the climb to the top of the mountain.
The trip is about one mile long, so the ride, both ways, is rather steep.
Something about thinking about this excursion had Hannah hesitant to ride the
incline initially. Once there though she embraced the opportunity. Months
later, that venture had made such an impression on her that she decided to
capture it on a painter’s canvas.
After the art show exhibit, Hannah’s school day was over. Jennifer
and I determined we would spend the time right after the event in some special
way. We felt the way to celebrate was for the three of us to have brunch. Fortunately,
the two adults outvoted the nine-year-old or we would have munched on something
from McDonald’s. Instead, we went to downtown Chattanooga to a restaurant
specializing mostly in breakfast items.
Then over omelets, bacon, biscuits, fruit, French toast and
various types of coffee and water, we talked about the art show. We talked
about Hannah’s classmates. We noted how much they have all changed in the past
year, a quarantine casualty of not being able to get to know your child’s
friends and their parents while waiting in car line or aftercare. After eating
all we could hold, we shelled out enough money for a decent dinner all the
while knowing the next meal would likely be much later in the afternoon. We
walked out the door to locate our car and go home. Jennifer and Hannah had the
rest of the day off while I worked from home.
There are a lot of things I recall about that day. Some of
them I have already mentioned here. The biggest takeaway is how we were able to
spend time together as a family while not being overwhelmed with work or school
or worry over family and friends. Obviously, Hannah’s painting is one of those
things to remember about the day. It will be a cherished memento from third
grade for years to come. It will always be something memorable about this day.
I am sure after the school year ends, it will hang on a wall.
For me though the other picture in this blog post is the one
I will try to remember for the rest of my days.
As we left the restaurant, Jennifer and Hannah turned down
the sidewalk toward the parking lot where our car was located. As is often the
case, I was a few steps behind the two of them. Around us was the skyline of
the city Jennifer grew up in, the city Hannah is growing up in, the city I have
grown to love, and the city we will all grow old in. Hand in hand they walked into
the landscape of concrete and steel with the backdrop of a clear blue sky with
Lookout Mountain off in the distance. It just seemed like a moment that should
be captured for remembering at some later time.
