True Railroad Stories: The Gathering of the Fireflies

On By railroadconductor67In Spirit, True Railroad Stories

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These are true stories about my father’s experiences working on the Railroad for 31 years. I hope that you enjoy them as much as I do.

Lady G 😘💋

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There is a creek running under the railroad track in a rural section of the mainline between two major cities in Georgia.

My train crossed the bridge over this creek on trips to and from these cities–usually in the dark of night.

At a certain time of year, fireflies would gather, in numbers too many to count, from the surface of the creek, up to, and above the trees lining either side of the creek’s banks.  These wondrous creatures were so closely compacted that they illuminated the entire area in a way that resembled a spectacular show of lights.

On nights, during the time of year for the fireflies, our crew would, on approaching the bridge, slow the train down and dim the engine headlights in order to observe this spectacular scene.  We were well aware that we were among only a few who would ever be lucky enough to witness this beautiful and natural phenomenon.  

Over the years, I would fondly recall and ponder the meaning of this experience.

I concluded that every firefly represents the birth of a new soul that is beginning life on earth.

Usually, that soul arrives in our midst, finds a mate, lives its life here on Earth and then departs.

Southern folklore has it that each soul that once resided on earth is represented by a star in the heavens. I believe that a flickering star is sending a heavenly signal to its earthly mate about its new location.

In essence, it is an invitation for both of them to reunite and spend eternity together.

Admittedly, I can’t be sure that my belief is true; but, it definitely seems likely because the firefly show took place at Spirit Creek.

-The Conductor

__________

I don’t know about y’all but I believe that my Daddy could be right!  

At least I’d like to think so anyway.

 

 

76 thoughts on “True Railroad Stories: The Gathering of the Fireflies”

  1. Fireflies are very magical in the night… I have seen You Tube videos of the fire flies in the North Carolina Great Smokie Mountains that at times in the summer swarm and all blink on and off at the same time. I is fantastic to watch.

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  2. Pingback: True Railroad Stories: Santa’s Helper – seekthebestblog

  3. I loved this story and I like the intriguing name of “spirit creek” which conjures up all sorts of wild imaginings. Not sure if that is actually a word. Never mind! Which reminds me that in Jamaica we call fireflies “peeny wallies” and I wrote a post called Underneath the Mango Tree which mentions them. How spooky is that, with the mention of Spirit Creek an’ all?! 🙂

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    1. “Peeny Wallies!” I love that! I think that I shall adopt that term! LOL!
      One of my closest friends is from Jamaica so I was blessed to have learned a little bit about Jamaican culture.
      My friend even taught me a few phrases in Patois! LOL! I taught her a lot of Black U.S. Southern colloquialisms!
      That was so much fun for the both of us 🙂
      Do you mind linking your post here for myself and for other readers?
      I would love to read it 🙂

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        2. I and I well pleased to see that you on ya tonight. By de way Layedi G, nuttin much a gwon ya. I and I jussa smoke de herbs anna relax. NO!!! I am not smoking any herbs in case the Ganga Police are patrolling tonight. LOL

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        4. Hey Lady G. Waah gwarn ova dey? Everyting ireee? 🙂 Yes, my reason for this speedy visit is to say that I noticed that you and I have been nominated for the Sunshine Bloggers Award. It is you isn’t it? Surely there can’t be 2 Lady Gs: I won’t allow it! LOL

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        5. I love it! I can almost hear that lyrical Patois!
          Keep giving it to me Lady M!
          I saw the thing about the Sunshine Blogger Award! It’s always good when other bloggers appreciate what you do 🙂
          Well….Let me tell you what’s going on Black Southern style:
          These folks ova here done loss they damn mine. They don put Trump in the chair and now he finta act a real fool!

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        6. Dem people inna de USA, dem foofool to backside. Dem no know say Trump a de devil. Dem larse (lost) dem mine fi true. I’m givin’ it to you strong, Lady G! :)))
          Gonna try a little American – don’t laugh: Ma heart done bleed fo dem pore folks in Amerk -ca. You soon hear them hollerin when Trump moves in dat Whitehouse. It sure nevva gonna ever be no Blackhouse once Obama done move out …LOL

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        7. HAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!
          YAAASSSSSS!
          She’s bringing it!
          How ’bout this:
          I reckon we gon root hog or die po! Watch whut I tell ya nigh! Them folks don’t care nuthin’ bout us.
          LOL!

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        8. YYYYAAAAASSSSS! You sure gon root hog. You aint gon get no chance to die po! Trump aint gon give you black folks time a day, let alone time to die po. If I woar you, I’d go get ma suitcase and start packin’ and get yore hide to Canada where dey knows how to treat folk. LOL

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        9. Lady M! If you could only hear me screaming with laughter after reading this!!!!!
          It is hilarious!
          That said, it does provide some much needed comic relief 🙂

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        10. Glad I made you laugh Lady G. I’m so happy I’ve discovered you. I’ve never laughed so much in my life as I do with you and Mr T.
          You do need comic relief after that bombshell of a result. I hope he is not as bad as he seemed when he was running for president. His acceptance speech was calm and humble, but I’m old enough to know that doesn’t mean anything. 🙂

          Liked by 1 person

        11. Awww!! Now that makes me feel so good!
          We will laugh many times over in the future I’m sure.
          Right now I just even don’t know what to think about that whole Trump thing girl 🙂

          Liked by 1 person

      2. Lady G – not sure if that link works as when I clicked on it, it said the page couldn’t be displayed. If it doesn’t work, another way is to go to my “About” page and you will see 2 links there. Please click on the riceandpease link which will take you to blowmeoutofthewater and then scroll until you reach Underneath the Mango Tree. You won’t have to scroll too long (don’t worry!) as it’s quite a recent post. Any problems, you know where I am. 🙂

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  4. Pingback: True Railroad Stories: The Peanut Man – seekthebestblog

  7. I had a great-uncle who worked for the railroad. He Amy great-aunt even lived in a converted boxcar for several years. They always had the most interesting stories. Seemed to me that life on the railroad was freedom and even magical, romantic if you will. Similar to tales of seafarers. Really enjoyed reading this. I’ll never look at our front field full of fireflies the same again. 😃

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    1. Oh my! You’ve never seen a firefly? They are so amazing. They look like little ambient lights flying around. In my neck of the woods they are seen all summer long. Usually after dark.
      Thanks for that comment. Dad reads all of these. He’ll love that.

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  18. Lady G,
    What a cool story. My grandfather was a conductor in the Midwest during WWII and passed on stories like this one to my mother. She used to share them with me, as bedtime stories.
    Don’t know if it’s the same one, but I live about 30 minutes from Spirit Creek…in Georgia.

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    1. First, let me thank you for checking it out!
      Second, let me say that I am gobsmacked at how close you are to Spirit Creek.
      Daddy worked a lot of cities in Georgia including Augusta, Savannah and Macon. I will have to ask him and see!
      This is too cool!
      A Conductor’s Granddaughter huh? Wow!!

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        1. I am so sorry Tess.
          That is still very new.
          I send love and light to you 😇
          My Mother passed away in late 2012. We were very close –which is why I mention her so much on my blog.
          You know Daddy was thinking about her when he mentioned his belief about the stars.
          I can’t wait to see what you decide to write.
          😘💋

          Liked by 2 people

        2. Thank you, friend. I am so sorry about your loss. Losing your Mom is one of the hardest things to go through. My mom passed on New Years Day 2015.
          It makes me smile to think your Dad was thinking of your Mom when he spoke about the stars. Deep and eternal love pours from that belief and through your words on the page.

          PS: I referenced you on a post I published today. Hope you approve 🙂

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        3. You’ve been through a lot lately. Really, I do send you much love and light.
          I mean that from the bottom of my heart.
          And wow! Thank you so much for the reference! I certainly approve 🙂
          By the way, Daddy reads all of the comments. I know that he will appreciate your kind words.

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        4. Thank you. I feel your love and sincerity. You are a gift to those you reach.
          I wrote about my experiences with mom on another blog, and it was therapeutic to have that outlet. I haven’t been able to write on there about my father, but I know the words will come when I am ready.
          Hug your sweet Daddy every chance you get.

          Liked by 2 people

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