My Grandmother Davis died. We shared stories and laughter during the wake and after the funeral church service people went home. The next day I knew where Grandma’s key was hidden and went inside, and just stood there. I was not remembering since we shared before and I was not focused at the ancient well-made, polished, and cared for furniture and things. They were not antiques to Grandma as it was just decades and generations of New England items of daily use. Grandma’s artistic and whimsical style, creatively organized and neat was not for a showcase, but the extension of who she was. Surprised I felt her essence, warm and almost like a hug from someone well-loved feels. Mer was quiet beside me and I whispered the feeling. He was accepting and not surprised. I went the next day and it felt the same. The 3rd day I went in and although the furnishings were still there it felt empty and cold. That essence feeling was gone. I never went back, and the house was bequeathed to the chapel she attended next door.
So, it’s my turn. In the spring we will sell our big house in the valley and move to the little house on the hill – Jesse and Margo’s. They had not wanted to sell or rent but saving it for a retirement home. Unbeknownst to me Jesse had been praying that I would be willing to downsize and leave my house and move there. God has been kind and faithful to us during the ups and downs of decades of life. There was never fighting, swearing, and coarse language was not allowed. My daughter says it is not a home of drama, but love, laughter, hugs, acceptance, comfort, peace and support. I have been contented there. It is the pondered question of what I will leave as a heritage to my children? Will I leave the essence of blessing? I hope that whoever buys the house, it will be as sweet a life there for them as well.
I waited years for my beautiful big kitchen with all the amenities a woman could want. It was ironic that a year or so later for 2 winters, to save the cost of fuel, we stayed in the efficiency apartment connected to our office. We opened and slept in a very comfortable futon and closed it up for the day. It had a shower bathroom and a very small kitchen. Yet I realized I was content there as well. We went home for the weekends. Margo’s kitchen is more medium size with very little counter. I awake during the night rearranging where I will place things. I decided that the little appendage room off the kitchen will be a cloak room and a pantry. I will sell my every day complete set of dishes and from my hutch use my Grandma Shipton’s dishes for every day. She did wash them in the dishwasher later in life and used them every day.
Jesse’s house was very well built with a large garage and dry basement, a tile kitchen floor and hardwood flooring everywhere else except the bathroom – inlaid flooring. It needs some maintenance work and a couple of major projects. The water supply is rusty and has stained the kitchen sink and bath porcelain so we will have to put in a whole house water system. The wall tiles in the bathroom have loosened and fallen off, the fixtures are corroded, and the tub needs to be replaced. Jesse says to make it our home and Margo said she likes how my house looks and is as glad as Jesse is to have us move in there. A few other more minor repairs and when all is said and done, I know I will be happy there.
So, it’s my turn. In the spring we will sell our big house in the valley and move to the little house on the hill – Jesse and Margo’s. They had not wanted to sell or rent but saving it for a retirement home. Unbeknownst to me Jesse had been praying that I would be willing to downsize and leave my house and move there. God has been kind and faithful to us during the ups and downs of decades of life. There was never fighting, swearing, and coarse language was not allowed. My daughter says it is not a home of drama, but love, laughter, hugs, acceptance, comfort, peace and support. I have been contented there. It is the pondered question of what I will leave as a heritage to my children? Will I leave the essence of blessing? I hope that whoever buys the house, it will be as sweet a life there for them as well.
I waited years for my beautiful big kitchen with all the amenities a woman could want. It was ironic that a year or so later for 2 winters, to save the cost of fuel, we stayed in the efficiency apartment connected to our office. We opened and slept in a very comfortable futon and closed it up for the day. It had a shower bathroom and a very small kitchen. Yet I realized I was content there as well. We went home for the weekends. Margo’s kitchen is more medium size with very little counter. I awake during the night rearranging where I will place things. I decided that the little appendage room off the kitchen will be a cloak room and a pantry. I will sell my every day complete set of dishes and from my hutch use my Grandma Shipton’s dishes for every day. She did wash them in the dishwasher later in life and used them every day.
Jesse’s house was very well built with a large garage and dry basement, a tile kitchen floor and hardwood flooring everywhere else except the bathroom – inlaid flooring. It needs some maintenance work and a couple of major projects. The water supply is rusty and has stained the kitchen sink and bath porcelain so we will have to put in a whole house water system. The wall tiles in the bathroom have loosened and fallen off, the fixtures are corroded, and the tub needs to be replaced. Jesse says to make it our home and Margo said she likes how my house looks and is as glad as Jesse is to have us move in there. A few other more minor repairs and when all is said and done, I know I will be happy there.