Alan NeSmith
A simple phone call after a baseball practice is how it began. Then it evolved into the boys calling their great grandparents after each practice. MaMa and PaPa loved to hear about each practice, ask questions about their day and at times tell stories about their childhood during the 1930s.
Then in 2020, in less than two months MaMa and PaPa both went to Heaven. After more than seven decades of marriage and going everywhere together, the Lord called MaMa home soon after PaPa and I can only imagine their reunion.
On the way home from the first ball practice after MaMa’s funeral, we decided to start calling my mom, the boys’ MyMa, after each practice. This has evolved into me checking in with her most every evening with the boys or without the boys. And so was the case Wednesday evening as I left Murphy, NC.
As I turned onto Georgia Highway 75 outside of Hiwassee to head up the mountain, we ended our call. But before we hung up, she said, “Please be careful crossing that mountain during this messy weather.” I agreed and began the ascent.
Making my way to the top of the mountain, the soupy fog made it hard to see as my wipers batted the spitting rain off the windshield.
Tip-toeing my four tires into White County, I met a vehicle heading the opposite way and with its lights flashing.
Slowing down to a crawl, I made my way through two more curves and my eyes focused on the reflective tape of two first responders’ jackets as they waved me through. Approaching them, I rolled down my passenger window. Easing my way around the hairpin curve I could see lights of a vehicle pointing straight to the sky from deep down in a ravine. Then I heard another motorist from the slight shoulder of the road holler, “I will not leave you.”
About Robertstown, I pulled to the shoulder of the road as emergency vehicles sped past on their way to the scene. Several more passed me before I reached Helen. And I said a prayer for everyone involved. Thursday morning, I learned a person was extracted from a vehicle 300 feet down the side of the mountain.
Folks, we are entering a very busy time of travel. Everyone is in a hurry everywhere with everything on their to-do list stressing their mind.
Christmas is a time of giving. As we run errands and share the roads with others, let’s all make a pledge to give the gift of grace to others on the road and off the road with patience and by slowing down. Grace is one of the greatest gifts and it doesn’t cost a dime.
I’m not sure of the event that led to the accident Wednesday night. However, it served as a great reminder to me to be careful.
So, let’s pledge to be extra careful on the road this holiday season. And in doing so, we could prevent a tragedy while also allowing someone, or even you, to enjoy more precious phone calls with loved ones.
Alan NeSmith is the chairman of Community Newspapers Inc. Reach him at 706-778-4215 or anesmith@TheNortheastGeorgian.com.