My Paisley Chair

Leon M. Hunt would be a centurion this week, but he left us too soon. From the first time I met Leon, he called me “Baby” and I called him “Daddy”. Many memories of Daddy, like this one, still warm my heart and bring a smile to my face.

It is amazing how a “freeze frame” in time can bring a flood of life’s memories. One such flood came while waiting with Ashley in the delivery room.  We had just witnessed the ritual of toe popping, (I’m glad Ashley lets David do this, so I don’t have to.)  Then, while David sat at the end of the bed looking into his baby girl’s eyes they simultaneously told each other “I love you a whole train load”.  It was at that moment, that time stood still while they each ran through their own rush of memories.  They shared a world of unspeakable emotions in a flash of time.

You see, it started like this …. David grew up in a house that was in front of a busy train track.  The metal factory just down the street loaded and unloaded boxcars throughout the day and into the night.  I can picture a scene much like the Waltons as bedtime became reality.  In the darkness of night after the lights had been turned out you could hear “I love you Daddy.  I love you a whole boxcar full.”   The reply would come, “I love you son, two box cars full.”  “Yeah, but I love you from the engine to the caboose full.”  The scenario was not complete until “I love you a whole train load” was stated and confirmed.  Each time the train crossed the road just down the street and blew its whistle, the message resounded within their hearts – I love you a whole train load!

This family tradition was passed to the next generation.  As our children grew up, they also heard the sound of freight trains in their back yard. As the whistle blew, the sound from the bedrooms would echo the familiar “I love you a whole train load”.

As David and Ashley shared that moment in time, it was evident without saying a word, that the originator of the saying was very present.   Somehow in a sweet and almost supernatural way Papaw Hunt was with us.  Though not in the room, I am convinced that he was in a “great cloud of witnesses” that is aware of the happenings in the lives of their loved ones.  We would love for Papaw to have been with us, and share in the exchange of “I love yous” but we know that he is still very much a part of our hearts.  The revelation of our heart shows the influence he had on our lives and that he is still very much a part of all that touches our life.

Leon Murray Hunt

11/12/23 – 08/07/02

“I love you” was never enough, three words were just too few.

“I love you more and more and most”, but even that wouldn’t do.

“I love you a whole trainload”, that’s what my dad would say. Then I’d count the boxcars and head out to play.

By: David Hunt  

Trainloads to you my friends!