Hidden Treasures

Just the other day I had the opportunity to meet an older gentleman. I say older because he immediately referred to me as “youngin”. I liked him instantly. This man is about seven-six years old and he has lived in this area most of his life. Currently he spends most of his time driving his wife to chemotherapy five days a week. As he said, “this is our life now”. As our conversation went on he asked me where I worked and I told him about the church and where it was and I was in the process of telling him about my work when a light went on in his head and he interrupted me with this question, “Do you know about the house just down the street from that church?” I asked which one because there are two that I was aware of which were just down the street from the church. He described the location and I knew exactly what house he was talking about. Then he asked, “Do you know about that house?” I said no. Then he went on to tell me about the history of the house.
The house is the second house on the left as you go north on James Pitt. That house was originally a two room log cabin that once belonged to Republic of Texas colonist Thomas Jefferson McDonald. The house was built in 1844 which means it was built before Collin County was Collin County and before Tejas was Texas. This house has amazing history which includes being attacked by Indians.
The house was later purchased by James Pitt in 1916. James and his wife lived there and raised their family in that house. As a matter of fact they lived there until they died. It is my understanding that the property is still owned by the Pitts family.
What is interesting to me is the fact that this house is a hidden treasure. Unless you were told about it or happened to stop and read the marker giving the details of the house you would never know of its significance. It is hidden behind two layers of siding and the roof has needed repair and replacement for at least a decade or more. To look at it you would just think it was an old run down house. As a matter of fact I have often wondered what the city is going to do with that house since it is in the geographic center of McKinney and will no doubt be surrounded by businesses someday.
Now that I know some of the story that goes along with the house I hope they never tear it down. I hope that someone restores the house to being the simple log cabin it was back in 1844. The people of McKinney need to treasure those things which are a part of our past.
Now before you get the wrong idea you need to know something, the house was not the treasure I discovered on that day. The treasure I discovered was the old man who loves to tell stories to “youngins” like me. The treasure I discovered was an old man who has loved his wife for a life time and enjoys every moment he has with her including those moments when she is receiving treatment for a cancer that she will have the rest of her life. The treasure I have found is in an old man that needs someone to talk to about life. What a blessing he is to me. I hope in some way I can be a blessing to him even if all I get to do is listen to a story every now and then.
There are hidden treasures all around you. They are not the ones made of gold or silver or even brick and mortar. The best treasures around you are in the lives of those who are our seniors. They are the ones who have walked the road of life before us and have paved the way. They have fought for our country, they have built the roads and bridges, they have taken us coast to coast and they have taken us to the moon and back. What a great generation. What makes them great however lies not so much in their accomplishments but more in the way they live life. They have taught us the value of hard work and determination. They have taught us that the best marriages are the ones that last a life time. They have taught us that above all else put your faith in God first and your faith in family second and everything else in life will be just fine.
I am thankful for hidden treasures. I hope you will take the time search for a hidden treasure to make a part of your life. You will bring joy to their heart and yours.
Love God. Go Love Others.