Someone’s Story

January 13, 2009 · By Deb Phillips – The Photo Gal

One of several special objects found at a roadside memorial in Lewisville, North Carolina.

The Presence

On a recent morning excursion, I prodded myself to move beyond my usual photo destinations within the township. Even so, I was driving down roads I’ve been on many times over the years. I’d just never actually stopped before and gotten out to explore them.

I finally pulled up next to a field full of gently swaying broom sage, wonderfully lit by the golden morning light. It’s a place that has always caught my eye when I’ve driven by. It just seems to have a presence — whispering to you, if you’re listening. It was calling me that morning, and I was finally heeding.

The Unexpected

But as I approached a corner of the field near the road, something unexpected caught my eye. It was a memorial stand of artificial flowers.

A plastic toy motorcycle with a rider on it was lying on the ground nearby. I reached down to pick it up and place it next to the large flat rock at the base of the flower stand. Then I bent down to look more closely at the objects that had been placed on the rock.

The little “I Miss You” bear shown above had been placed in the middle of the rock, and was surrounded by two weathered CDs, a faded pack of Skittles candy, and what looked like a toy spinning top.

The Story

I paused for a few moments to take it all in. Who was the deceased, I wondered? Was it indeed someone involved in a fatal motorcycle accident?

And what story are the objects on the rock meant to convey? The Skittles and the spinning top. The CDs containing Brazilian and Cajun-style instrumental music.

Most likely, I’ll never learn the story of the individual who’s memorialized at this site. But what I do know is that somebody loves and misses him.

Please continue to the NEXT SECTION if you’d like to see more photos of this unexpected memorial.