“Home is where our story begins…” — author unknown
Faded dreams –Remnants of a life once lived
Whenever I pass an old broken dilapidated home, I become pensive.
I wonder about the people who once lived there.
I wonder about their hopes, their dreams, their aspirations.
I think about how excited they must have been as they went about planning their lives in the house of their dreams.
Did they get to live there?
Were they happy?
Did they have a family?
What happened and why did they leave?
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven — Ecclesiastes 3:1
Life is lived in stages
My mind conjures visions of a young mother standing by the open blue door. Her left arm is keeping the door open while she watches her children run and play in the fields.
Happy squeals of pure delight fill the air with the sounds of youth and hope.
Their cute puppy, Paws, is happily dozing under the pear tree in the corner of the yard. He is 8 years old and resting for soon it will be time for chasing fireflies in the twilight.
But for this moment he is dreaming of a bone for his dinner. He lazily opens one eye against the noisy assault of delight.
Momentarily irritated, he remembers it is his job to protect the kids.
He will protect them with his life if he has to.
Satisfied, children and dog are safe, mom dries her hands on the red and white dishtowel slung over her left shoulder.
She returns to the numerous chores that rule her days.
She is preparing dinner. Today she will surprise the family with a special treat.
She hums along to the old transistor radio as she molds the piecrust into the baking dish.
Living so far from town has its beauty, but sometimes only static can be heard on the old thing.
That old pear tree in the corner of the yard has had a bountiful harvest this year. It is laden with delicious golden pears.
The pears have a crisp texture similar to apples, and mom knows they will make the perfect pie for her family.
The kids often pick the juicy tree-ripened pears to quench their hunger pangs. Their play will not be interrupted by the need for food.
She places the pie in the oven and checks the venison stew for flavor … hmm, so so good.
Soon she will call the children in to clean up for dinner and her husband will retire from his toils for the day.
A hard-working man needs a good solid meal and some peace so that he can return to face the back-breaking laborious work again tomorrow.
In the far corner of the field, a man is toiling in the fields. He hopes this year’s harvest will be enough. He has many big plans for his family.
He needs to reap enough to sell and to save until the next harvest comes in. He needs money to pay for his equipment and to purchase seeds for next year’s planting.
He needs an extension on his house, the place is entirely too small as it is. With the five children plus his wife, they are practically falling on top of each other.
He will need some financial security and he has to put money away for the children’s education.
He prays they never have to work as hard as he.
Soon the daylight gives way to dusk, mother returns to the back door and calls out, “kids time to wash up for dinner!”
The children come running with Paws flanking the rear.
He is excited, he knows he will be rewarded with some delicious bones off the dinner table.
The children file in and rush to clean up for dinner, they are famished from the play as well as the sun and fresh country air.
Mama bids them set the table and papa finally appears.
Soon they sit down to dinner and enjoy their venison stew and potatoes. The pear pie is welcome and they each compliment mama on a delicious meal.
Replete the kids listen as papa recounts his day to mama.
Later, mama reads them their favorite story and tucks them in bed.
The children whisper scary stories until one by one they will fall asleep and dream.
Tomorrow is another day to dream and run and play.
Another day where Paws will lay under that old pear tree as the children repeatedly disturb his rest.
Paws is happy and content, this is his home and he would have it no other way.
The Takeaway
Every dream begins with an idea.
We plan, prepare and try to achieve the life we want.
Hard work coupled with some luck can take us a long way.
Make time to build and maintain a connection with family and good friends. They help to enrich your lives.
Respect nature and feed your spirit man.
What is new one day will eventually become old, used, and abandoned.
Let us live this life the best way we can, in love, peace, and kindness. Eventually, everything and everyone simply becomes a memory.
Live so that you are remembered fondly and kind words said in your wake.
Let your legacy be that of a good and kind neighbor who always did your best.
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