The Rockers

One day, my family brought home five new rocking chairs with matching tables. The chairs have a white, wooden frame with wicker for the back and the seat. They put two on one side of me, and three on the other side, with a table on each side. Once the rockers were in place, everyone in the family came out, each bringing with them a large glass of iced sweet tea. Max, the family dog, lay in the middle, enjoying the cool breeze. They sat outside for a pretty long time, talking about how much they loved the beautiful weather and how nice it was to have me here, so they could just relax and enjoy being outside together.

The Names

Before I was added, there were concrete blocks which led up to the house. The beautiful Spring day I was created, the people I came to know as the grandparents came over.  Before I had set and dried, each one of the children in the family placed their hands in my jelly-like surface. Then a skinny little stick was used to etch each of their names—Travis, Haley, and Lauren—under each of their little handprints. Someone made the comment that they were now immortalized; as long as I remained, their names would be as well. That comment made me feel pretty important and like part of the family! I now had a responsibility to these giggly, happy little children!  

Introduction

Hello there! I am the old porch, connected to an old house. We are now abandoned and so very lonely. But there was a time when we were fresh and new, coated in beautiful, glossy paint. While we weren’t really seen, our absence surely would have been noticed by those who enjoyed us. Time wears us all down and sometimes we need a helping hand to look our best. Hard times come, people move on to other interests or bigger and better things. But the memories will always remain—at least for me, they will. 

Allow me to share with you some of the great times that happened across the span of all my years. Families and friends have come and gone. Children have grown up. Grandparents have passed on. Fathers have maintained a variety of jobs. Mothers have rocked babies. Family pets have trampled mud or just relaxed. There have been holiday celebrations, as well as domestic squabbles. I have been “the place” for children’s balloons, piñatas, and Kool-aid. I have also hosted barbecue grills and adult beverages.

I am the family porch. The center of activity, community, love, hate, religion, kindness, beauty, giggles, and shouts. I hope you enjoy my stories. I pray my tales bring you joy and maybe some introspection; I hope they encourage you, challenge you, and maybe inspire you!!

The Porch…