7 a.m. in Madison Alabama
My brother and I had crossed over some railroad track in our quest to find an Indian buffet restaurant in Huntsville, Alabama the afternoon after we had driven up from Miami. I spotted a sign that said Historic Downtown Madison. I wanted to stop but our stomach had the better of us and we pushed on to get our fill of some curry.
On the Monday following the wedding I had to be up at 6 a.m. to get Jerry to the airport on time. It didn’t really bother me to be up so early because the time I am allowed to spend with my family is all precious. As I was making my way for the countless time to Huntsville International Airport, to our left and right the fields were covered in an early morning mist. The kind of mist that just hovers a few feet above the ground.
I imagined being taken back in time to when these northern hills of Alabama, were the only occupants of the area. Just the hills, the grass, and that early morning fog.
Since I had time before I needed to meet up with my family I took a detour back to the hotel so that I could take an early morning walk around Madison. The construction crews were already on site as I wandered around in the pre 7 a.m. sunlight.
The light filtered in through the majestic trees among the white picket fences. The yards and porches reminded me to slow down and appreciate the land and the people of Alabama.
I really had little expectations from Alabama. I know that is a bit sad, but in my mind not much came to me, but I was impressed with the land. The land spoke to me. The small town America, that is quickly vanishing, spoke to my heart.
As I wandered around crossing over the railroad tracks I thought to myself what it must have been like to grow up here at the turn of the century. The hard times only out scaled by the beauty of the surrounding land.
These thoughts all rushed through my head like the morning fog as it began to disperse the higher the sun rose. Madison was a beautiful trip back to a place I had never been. All beautiful in the 7 a.m. sunshine.
