Treasures of Pedigo Hill

Treasures of Pedigo Hill

Family reunions are absolutely priceless, such a special time spent with loved ones. On a recent weekend my family gathered for that very reason, a family reunion. After preparing a colorful fruit salad and a new cake recipe, I loaded up my car for a scenic drive to the beautiful Piney Woods of East Texas. I love the drive to what was once the home of the grandparents of my late husband. A white wood frame house with a big front porch, porch swing included, sitting nestled back in the piney woods, can be reached after a rather steep drive up a dirt road, leading to Pedigo Hill. It’s such a peaceful place, one that has captured the hearts of each and every family member as well as others who have visited. These precious grandparents are no longer with us and the memories of days gone by are treasured by those of us who had the privilege of knowing and loving them. These memories are lovingly shared and passed down to the next generations each time we all gather there.

This wonderful old home came alive this past weekend. If the walls of this home could talk, I believe they would joyfully express how good it felt to hear the laughter and chatter of family gathered, once again. Gathered there this weekend were the son and daughter of these precious grandparents who once lived here, all the way down the lineage to several little ones… great-great grandchildren. How I wish these little ones could have known their great-great grandparents, an absolute “salt of the earth” couple, affectionately known as Grandmother and Granddaddy Boo. I miss them so!

Precious memories fill and surround that white wood frame home, a home built on love, faith and tradition. My mouth waters at the thought of Grandmother's fried cornbread and fresh peas, a big pot of chicken and dumplings simmering on the stove, or little ones learning to walk on the throw rug covered wood floors, long talks on the front porch while shelling peas, rides in the back of a pickup truck going down to “the bottom” in search of the perfect Christmas tree, peaceful walks down the road to the treasured family cemetery, and many more if each had their turn to share.

The treasured family cemetery is truly that…a treasure. Our family cemetery is a wonderful, peaceful; almost park like place, with a beautiful open stone chapel on the grounds. One that has actually hosted two weddings in recent years. Those stopping to visit can learn the history of the A.B. Pedigo Family Cemetery while reading the Historical Marker, placed there in recognition and honor of this beautiful landmark. What a blessing it is to have such a peaceful and honestly joyful place to go and remember our loved ones, a cemetery that is filled with an air of life rather than that of such great loss. The beautiful stone chapel with a breeze blowing through the open arched windows, a row of yellow lilies lovingly planted down one side, a camellia bush full of fuchsia blossoms nearby all welcome any visitor with “arms” opened wide.

I truly love every opportunity given to me to follow the dirt road leading to Pedigo Hill, a wonderful place, nestled back in the piney woods. How precious. I feel so very blessed that God chose me to be a part of this special Family Tree, by marriage, long ago. I thank God for allowing me to be a part of the memories held so dear, those past and still to come…this story is definitely one to be continued…
Debbie Pedigo
March 10, 2014