I am thinking tonight about a house on Sycamore Road.
It started as little more than a shanty – a couple rooms, a
bathroom. After 61 years of being lived in by what became a family of 9, it was
a much bigger house…and a home.
It is on my mind tonight because 6 years ago at this time, I
was in a hospital emergency room, not believing that the woman who made that
house a home was gone.
If these
old walls, if these old walls could speak
Of
things that they remembered well
Stories
and faces dearly held
A couple
in love livin' week to week
Rooms
full of laughter
If these
walls could speak*
When you are the only child of a single parent, extended
family becomes especially important. Aunt Joanne, my mom’s older sister, always
treated me like one of her own. She has a daughter 21 months older than me, a
son one month younger, another son 4 years younger…great pals for a kid with no
siblings.
The house has a yard big enough for football or baseball, and
a hoop in the driveway, and a creek, AND they belonged to a club with a pool.
Paradise.
If these
old halls, if hallowed halls could talk
These
would have a tale to tell
Of sun
goin' down and dinner bell
And
children playing at hide and seek from floor to rafter
If these
halls could speak*
Two specific memories that make me smile…
Driving to the pool, with Three Dog Night’s “Joy to the World”
playing loudly, Amy hanging her head out singing even more loudly…and all of
that being just fine. No scolding. No “get your head in here” warnings.
And meteor showers in August. We would get sleeping bags and
stare at the sky, so excited to count shooting stars. Aunt Joanne was right
there with us.
I had no idea what being an adult, a wife, a mom to seven
kids meant. Cooking, cleaning, laundry, making ends meet, holding a part time
job.
I had no idea what it meant for her to spend hours with us at
the pool or looking at the stars.
I had no idea I would remember that forever.
Joanne Andreassi was one of the classiest, most attractive
women I know. She always looked nice. Always.
She wasn’t perfect. Sometimes things she said would have been
better as just thoughts. She could be
stubborn.
But her heart was golden. And her faith was steadfast and
strong.
I had no idea it was making such an impact on me.
She was funny. And she had a wonderful laugh.
She loved her kids. She loved her husband…and, oh my, did he
love her! They truly enjoyed each other’s company – still do, I’m sure.
She was supportive of my uncle while he built a gas and oil
company, worked a second job in the evening, answered customer calls at all
hours – once on Christmas Day. They made a great team and were blessed to enjoy
the fruit of those labors and sacrifices when they were retired.
If these
old fashioned window panes were eyes
I guess
they would have seen it all
Each
little tear and sigh and footfall
And
every dream that we came to seek or followed after
If these
walls could speak*
I had no idea on Oct 30, 2007, my sleep would be delayed by a
phone call at 11 PM saying I needed to get my mom and go to the hospital.
Aunt Joanne’s oldest daughter and I are also very close. Her
voice was tight, very deliberate. Just as I about to hang up, she said words I
didn’t want to here: “She’s already gone.”
If I close my eyes right now, I can see her in the kitchen, or at the end of the dinner table in her spot…I can hear her talking about soap
operas or fussing about ladybugs invading her house or cheering for her kids
and grandkids at a football or basketball game…I remember her laughing with Mom and their other sister
and brother…
I had just seen her at a football game a couple weeks before.
I had no idea it would be the last time I would see her on
this side.
I had no idea I would miss the chance to ever tell her these
things.
Six years later, Joanne-ee, and you are still loved and
missed like it was yesterday.
Rest well. See you again.
They
would tell you that I owe you
More
than I could ever pay
Here's
someone who really loves you
Don't
ever go away
That's
what these walls would say*
Do you need to share thoughtful words with someone before you can't?
Think about it.
We will talk again tomorrow.
I’m
participating with The Nester in 31 Days of Examining My Heart.
This is Day 30.
You can find
all 31 Dayers here.
There are so many wonderful topics.
If you miss
any days in the series, you can find the introduction and each day's post here.
Beth Painter is a writer and motivational speaker. You can follow her on Facebook on the “Think Big focus small” page.
Beth is available to
speak to your group about how to make your dreams and desires come to life!
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