Sunday's good word(s)
“The windows are open,” my family often hears me say these days…
Yesterday morning, as we readied for the day and shuffled by one another in pursuit of coffee and breakfast eats, we could hear the little miss one house over holding court with coos and delight. Born last fall, she’s the newest addition to the block and her presence brings great joy—a reminding of life’s circle and ongoing nature of these ol’ houses that get renewed with every family that makes a home. This is one of the reasons I love these sunshine days arriving. It’s like we all emerge from our winter cocoons and reacquaint with porch sits, chats not rushed by the cold, and community felt. …or overheard.
When the previous owners of the home next door moved, their son said we could help ourselves to anything we wanted as they assembled items to sell. All I asked for was the old school bird feeder my kiddos used to help fill. When his folks remodeled their kitchen in our early married & child welcoming days, they made sure there was a huge picture window on the backside for the sole purpose of bird watching. That sentiment was not lost on me as I fetched a new ‘shepherd’s hook' and feeder at my favorite lawn and garden spot this week, as I positioned it to where I could see visiting birds through the window while sipping coffee or doing dishes. As I said to Mr. yesterday morning, while we smiled listening to the little baby chirps next-door, "I wonder if this is how E&D felt when we started our family too… little bonuses to the block."
The vase above is from a dear friend, the flowers are ones that my daughter picked from another neighbor's yard when she was five. The neighbor’s grown daughter, who oversaw the yard detail for her aging parents, was not pleased with our girl’s budding florist efforts & an apology note was delivered. I was on team flower here, but had to be a parent too. The dried, kept blooms remind me of what matters, how fleeting beauty can be.
The other night we had family over for a gathering and one of the kiddos was so happy to pull one of the tulips from our meager selection. There were a couple 'oh, dear!' looks and pauses and my reaction was, “Isn’t that so pretty!? You should go take it to your Mommy… she will love it!” I was thinking partly about the neighbor lady moment that my daughter experienced around the same age, but also how my daughter could never help herself from picking the first magnolia bloom off the tree in our backyard. I had an opinion about that once & the next day the heavens opened up with so much weather that all the blooms were pummeled to the ground. My girl, like my great nephew was onto something—see the beauty, share the bounty. I sometimes wonder if that’s why tulips show so brightly and briefly after their long winter’s nap—so we extra enjoy them for their effort and timing.
When I passed her in the park last month I wondered how the new home was settling about them. “It’s okay… the house is great… and… we miss the old block. The new street is just wider, porches aren’t as close. We’re not doing lawn care alongside everyone else…” We both agreed that warmer temps would make for greater connects, and I then I walked home to our spot of 20+ years with a touch of extra appreciation for this ol’ lady who’s been through a remodel this past year, for the porch sturdy, welcoming, and dear. We’ve endeavored to listen to this home’s wishes, pay attention when she talks, and think not only of her now but who she’s long been and will continue to be… for us, for our family, for who she’ll welcome and hold for years to come.
“Word for the Day” from Gratefulness.org (usually the first email I open each morning).