Monday, December 1, 2008

House Revisited

"Hey Honey", he said. "Hi", I replied. "Don't worry, I managed to get the fireplace lit this year, but you had some pictures delivered here, Honey..." "Pictures?" "Well... sure looks like pictures..." He read the company name and described their mailing envelope. Hmm.... Interesting. I haven't mailed film to be developed in a long, long time... I'm digital now. I upload pictures to be developed. Yet, I was curious to see what pictures there were. I hadn't lived in that house in nearly 3 years, and I've been digital about that long as well.

So, on my way home from work, I headed to the old house. My "married" house. It's only about five or six miles from my new house, but it's a totally different exit off of the interstate. I drove down the winding country road, and then down to the end of the street.

The fence was the first thing that struck my eye - I remembered tearing the old one down, and putting this new one up. I noticed the lavender was doing well. Down toward the gate, I walked. I'd been to the house since I'd moved. The past two winters, I'd helped him light the gas fireplace - taught him to find the 'sweet spot' that allowed the pilot to light the burner. I'd seen some of the changes in the house - it really looks beautiful! These owners love that house as much as I enjoyed it... and I love that!

At the edge of the driveway, I noticed the new steps - real terracing down the hill. I remember how they have expanded the deck and put in new steps and planters. I see the garden areas I initiated have been continued and improved.

I chatted with the new owner for an hour or so - me sharing some of the history that I know of the house and the land, him catching me up on the goings on since I've been gone. We talked about the hostas - originally from my mother's - or perhaps grandmother's garden, the trillium that I pulled from out of the woods, into the front garden. The lillies, the clematis, the bridal wreath spirea, the daffodils transplanted with me from "the womb house", all doing well.

All of us... all of them... all doing well.

Thank you God for the opportunity to return to previous places that have held meaning. For the opportunity to see growth through the years.

Oh... and the pictures... They were from my grandparent's 60th anniversary party.... years and years ago... lost in limbo, and now returned to me.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Don't you wish those pics had a little memory chip to show where they've been all this time. The party would have been in 2000 if it is indeed 60 yrs. What a wonderful story!