Opinions Needed!!!!

[Guest guest]

Ok, let me give you the scoop on this story before you read it!! First off this is a True Story, based on my family and my memories. Based on a home that my GreatGrandmother bought back in the late 1800's, My grandmother was raised in this home, my Father and Aunt were raised in this home, I was raised in this home...My cousins, were raised in this home..I don't know of any family with such a connection to a home. We are talking about a connection from the late 1800's to NOW!!! Recently the woman who was renting the home moved out and my grandmother has been fixing it up for a new renter. My father has been trying to find a renter, and my husband has been helping Granny fix it up. (Nana is my Great Grandmother whos is no longer living)Granny is dieing of Pancreatic Cancer, which make this story even more important to me. (and soon to the family)

One day while I was in Relapse, and had a Doc. appt. My Husband and I stopped at the house so he could do some more work. It was literally the first time I had stepped into this home in well over 25 years. I plan on either reading this or simply giving everyone a copy of this on Thanksgiving. Not one person in my family (for the exeption of my husband) knows about this. I need an HONEST and FORTH RIGHT OPINION on this. Since you are all outside the family and only know of my writing skills..you can give an unbiased opinion!! So here we go...The story is below...

A Trip Back In Time

On the 3rd day of fall in 2003, I took a little trip back in time. The year was 1976, I was 6 years old and I went to 1823 Deer Park Ave. The moment I walked in the front door, I could almost smell Nana. The house even smelled the same to me. You know the smell, the grandma’s house, smell. Every certain on every window was just as it should be, nothing changed. The wood floor, with its light and dark colors was still in near mint condition.

The little gray carpets and the cute little white fire place, still gave character to the living room. Even Nana’s room still had the off white wallpaper with the decorative flowers on it. As I strolled down the hall from Nana’s room and looked to my left into the bathroom, I realize just how much antique stuff there is in this home. You just can’t pop into Home Depot and buy a Tubs, Sinks, Door Knobs, Lights, and Ceiling Fixtures like this anymore.

Still standing there in the hall, I also realize that none of the wallpaper, in any of the rooms, has changed. I look to my right and up those very steep steps to the attic, remembering as a child how tricky they were, but realizing as an adult that it would be like climbing a tree or a huge latter and quite challenging at that. Now, I strolled a bit further down the hall and to the left, to the bedroom in which I slept as a child when I spent the night. By this time, memory after memory is streaming through my mind as tears are starting to stream down my face. Now, I walk into the kitchen and I notice right off, the black curtains with the red hearts and roosters on them. Then I peer down the steps to the basement and 2 classic stories popped in my head. I smiled and naturally I teared up again.

The first story was when I was about 3. I had just had my bath for the evening. Nana, was sweeping the basement steps. I kept trying to go down there to be with her and each time Nana would tell me “No”. Then I would go and Whimper to Granny about it, and Granny would show me no sympathy at all. Again, I would go back to the top of the steps and this time Nana says that I will get a spanking should I continue my efforts of getting down stairs to her. Again I go whimper to Granny about this, and naturally this is doing me no good at all. So, again (being as bull headed as I am) I go back to the top of the steps and try again. Just as promised, Nana turned me over her knee and gave that spanking that I was told about. Now, of course after this I again go and whimper and crying again to Granny and again this did me no good, as Granny told me that I was warned. So, I yet again go back to the top of the steps to Nana at which time, I promptly said “Shame On You Nana!” Well, according to Granny, Nana felt guilty and said she was never going to give me a spanking again. You know what? She never did!!

Then of course there is the time when I tied myself to the bottom of the basement steps. Granny and Nana thought this was so funny, they had to take a picture of my misery. My imaginary friend (Mernie) tied me up, but no one believed me, and I couldn’t untie myself. I was tied up pretty tight. Recalling both stories made me laugh to myself and cry a bit too, as even today, I get a kick out of Granny telling me the stories as if they had just happened yesterday. I am will to bet that Nana would have just as much fun telling the stories too, if she were here today.

Now, while I on my visit, I decide to sit on the back porch. It was such a beautiful day. The sky was clear and blue, not a cloud in the sky and it was nice and cool out too. The moment I, I looked to my left and what did I see? I see the very sea shell that I played with as a child. Ironically it was in the very spot that I left it in 27 years ago when I was just 6 years old. Right next to the basement door at the steps. That shell is with me now, as leaving it behind again would have been difficult to bear.

One things certain, while for our family has changed, time at 1823 Deer Park Ave. has stood still. Members of the family have moved on and the rest of us have moved into new chapters in ours lives. But regardless of this, our family still remains totally connected to 1823 Deer Park Ave. My prayer is that with God’s Love and Blessings perhaps in another 27 years, when I am 60 years old, I can once again sit on the back porch of 1823 Deer Park Ave. Perhaps even then time will have stood still. But, regardless, I write this for us all, so we don’t for where our family connection really is. Because if there is ever a time or a day when we are no longer connected to this home, we now have something to remember it by.

Written by:

Donahue

10/25/03

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