Shining Example

To anyone else this is a picture of a hand rail, possibly lacquered to give it the brown color.  This is on the steps of the Old Post Office in the center of downtown Blacksburg.  In fact, as I took this picture, a couple young women were observing me and asked "what are you seeing?"   That was a grand opportunity to open my memory bank.

The picture from the past was a shining bright brass rail that was polished to a glistening gold daily.  Rice Dobbins also came into the picture.  Rice was the custodian of the Post Office and his smile radiated like his handicraft.  He had a smile and a friendly greeting for all that caught him doing his job, and doing it well.  In those days of racial segregation in this small southern town, Rice did his part to break down barriers.  It was fitting that his final services were held in the predominately Caucasian Blacksburg United Methodist Church.

Now, I hope that when you go through Blacksburg,  you will get a glimpse of what I see.