Word-High July: Kalinaw

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Whenever I hear or see the word "Serenity", one thing comes to mind. Down in New Gulf, Texas, several miles down the road from where I live, there was a community that grew up around the sulphur factory. It was big stuff during the early part of the last century.

There is a big house there that, if I remember correctly, was the manager's house. It is a beautiful place and has been kept up pretty well over the years. But, this is not my Serenity.

Across the drive from the manager's house was the former lodge for the New Gulf community. It stood empty for many years and was in a tremendous state of disrepair. However, when I looked at it, I saw a beautiful place that could have been restored. I saw "Serenity", a beautiful, peaceful place that needed a great deal of love.

The New Gulf Lodge aka to me as Serenity. ©2004-2016 Suzanne G. McClendon

We were relatively new to Texas when we found New Gulf. We had gone on a ride to see what was around the area and, off in the distance, I spotted two tall columns that turned out to be smoke stacks off in the distance. Like the shepherds following the star on the night Christ was born, we followed the stacks until we found them. And with finding them, we found Serenity.

The Stacks at New Gulf ©2014-2016 Suzanne G. McClendon

Now, it is no more. We were on another ride last year, many years after the first one, to see the place that I loved so much. As we approached the end of the road where Serenity was supposed to be, our daughter frantically asked, "What happened?!" Serenity wasn't there. In its stead was a pile of bricks, mortar, and metal. They had destroyed my Serenity.

My Serenity Gone Forever ©2004-2016 Suzanne G. McClendon

This piece of brick is all that I will ever have of this beautiful place.

A Brick Chip from Serenity. ©2004-2016 Suzanne G. McClendon

Taxes were worth more to the county than a piece of vital history to this area. The love of money is, indeed, the root of all evil.

Sad and Angry Suz saying good-bye. ©2004-2016 Suzanne G. McClendon

Please be sure to read David's post over at Random Thoughts and Observations.

Please also visit Rosema, our Word-High July hostess.

Disclaimer: These Filipino word images are from an article by Isabelle Laureta on BuzzFeed titled
“36 Of The Most Beautiful Words In The Philippine Language”. All credit goes to them.