A Full Day In Arkansas Remembering A Special Man

Saturday, May 12, was an eventful day, the kind that bolsters one’s perspective on nature, family, and faith.

I drove from Springdale to Hot Springs Village for a memorial service for a man I had known since childhood.

Our families were close. I grew up with his four children and had been in their home many times.

The service was a blessing, the kind where sorrow is alleviated by knowing that a dear saint has entered Paradise, and the kind in which it is good to remember a life well-lived.

The day itself was full, including at least eight hours of driving time. But the drive provided wonderful views of Arkansas’ outdoors.

And in retrospect, those views made a perfect backdrop for everything that happened that Saturday.

The dearly departed was one who loved the outdoors—hunting some and fishing a lot—just like many Arkansans. And like so many, the wonder of creation was simply an opportunity to enrich his own faith.

My morning drive featured spectacular views in the Boston Mountains, the Ouachita Mountains, and the Ouachita National Forest.

My mother and my brother were driving at the same time, coming in to the area from the northeast part of the state, and before noon, we met in Hot Springs.

We needed a quick bite before going to the service, and by chance we came upon Phil’s Restaurant, across Central Avenue from Oaklawn Racing and Gaming (formerly Oaklawn Park Race Track).

Phil’s served up a hearty plate of home cooking, and I would recommend it to anyone.

But a good lunch wasn’t the reason we were there. We soon headed to Hot Springs Village to pay our respects and to see some very special friends.

Our route went through historic downtown Hot Springs, with its inviting feel and its sense of history. I had been there several times before, but not in recent years.

We passed the old white brick, six-story Citizens Bank Building at the intersection of Central Avenue and Bridge Street, and it sparked a fond memory in my mind.

Back in the summer of 1981 my dad and I had looked it over carefully. Dad ran a construction business all of my life, specializing in masonry restoration and a host of other services needed for revitalizing buildings.

We were in Hot Springs and in other towns in southern Arkansas, looking at job possibilities.

The old Citizens Bank Building was on the National Register of Historic places and in need of repair in 1981. And it was empty. It is always sad to see a once very proud structure failing because the decades have worn it down.

But when we drove by there on May 12, it was in fine shape. Just a few days later, on May 16, there was a nice column about it by Rex Nelson in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. He wrote about the building and the revitalizing efforts in downtown Hot Springs.

According to Rex, the building was erected in 1911 and 1912 and was “known for its white glazed brick manufactured by the Tiffany Enameled Brick Company of Momence, Ill.”

It became empty a few years before my dad and I sized it up in 1981, and it stood strong—but with no real purpose—until just recently. Rex wrote, “There are now condominiums and a jazz club upstairs.”

I’m not surprised at all that my mind was drifting to memories of my own father when I saw the building. It happens often and it was appropriate that day.

The service in Hot Springs Village was also appropriate, perfectly capturing the sentiments of those in attendance. We soon said our goodbyes and headed towards northeast Arkansas.

Hours later, we were home—my mother’s home— and the home where I grew up.

Sunday would be Mother’s Day, and it would have its own special significance.

But Saturday was a meaningful day in and of itself, providing opportunities to enjoy friendships, family, memories, fellowship, prayer, and reflection.

And if those things weren’t enough, May 12 provided a chance to appreciate Arkansas scenery, history, and culture.

We’ve all had worse Saturdays. DAVID WILSON, EDD, OF SPRINGDALE, IS A FORMER HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL AND IS THE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR FOR THE TRANSIT AND PARKING DEPARTMENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS. HIS BOOK, LEARNING EVERY DAY, IS AVAILABLE ON AMAZON. YOU MAY E-MAIL HIM AT DWNOTES@ HOTMAIL.COM. THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHOR.