Oh house you were birthed out of love
From a vision of hope
That a spunky woman had
Because she refused to believe that a woman wasn’t able to go it alone
With just her sons on her own
She did, with you as her peace
Oh house – you were her vision
Of freedom, breaking the status quo
A safe haven for her family
The windows had to be end-to-end
Overlooking the valley
Because at night every twinkle of every lamp post or porch light needed to be seen from those windows
Fourth of July was always the best- the best fireworks view in town
Swimming pool parties
Friends & family galore
Dad wearing a cowboy hat or baseball cap grilling
Mix Doberman/Shepard dog would run parameter & greet kids with a sloppy slurp as she ate grapes off the vine as she ran
Oh house…
As an infant I rolled over on the family room floor
At age 3 I sat on your stairs and cried while the woman who built you sat by me
Rubbing my back as we waited
For Dad to emerge from the bathroom
Your tree house you built nestled in birch trees
Felt like another world
Brunches in the tree house with all the windows open, a crisp breeze
No wonder I love brunch so much
My first kiss on the back steps of the tree house
My bedroom was my sanctuary that fit two queen beds- perfect for sleepovers
Helped that the extra fridge nearby was always stocked with cherry chocolate chip ice cream
Oh house… the billiard games and dart board along with Jack Daniels
Chocolate chip cookies and coffee beckoned everyone
They are gone now
Sorrow flits like the speckled snow
With so many memories awakened
Upon seeing your now but remembering your glory days
Oh house! What happened to you?
Their names and memories whisper on your walls and echo through your halls
Why must you disappear too?
Do I cry for you or them
Or all of us
Missing you
Missing them
Oh house….
strengthdefined 