Oh my, what a glorious day it is today. Better enjoy it while it lasts, as fall and winter will soon be here. Looking beyond the railing the grounds look so enticing. I’ve often wished I could meander down the path and rest in the shade of the trees. So peaceful.
In the warmth of the afternoon sun I let my thoughts travel back in time to the beginning. How excited the Mr. And Mrs. were to see their porch completed. It was a long time dream of the Mrs. She always saw herself with a porch like this. In her mind she saw herself with her only love sitting on the steps sharing their love and their lives. Friends gently teased the Mrs. for naming her porch. She called me “comfort.” I can still hear her, calling “let’s go sit in comfort,” or telling a visitor “my porch is such a comfort.” I felt so cherished.
Soon I was filled with rockers, chairs and small tables. Everyone knew those two rockers were for the Mr. And Mrs. No one ever said so, one just knew. How the two of them loved to sit and gently rock, sometimes silently, sometimes sharing thoughts or news, but always sharing their comfort. The Mr. And Mrs. grew old together along with those rockers and me.
Beautiful flower baskets were hung or tucked away here and there. The Mrs. always fussed over them, moving them around, adding new ones each season. The Mr. would watch from his special rocker with amusement and love and his ever-present drink of the season. Spring and fall it was his favorite brewed coffee, while summertime brought out the sweet tea, which was a specialty of the Mrs.
What I really enjoyed best of all was being dressed for the season or holiday. It was a passion of both the Mr. And Mrs. to keep me looking my best. I can’t ever remember wearing the same thing twice. Silly, frivolous, somber, gay, pastel, bright. Always different. Hours were spent planning what to do with me. No matter what the season or holiday everything was planned around Old Glory. Both the Mr. And Mrs. had a deep love for that old flag. The Mr. had fought to protect us all and the Mrs. worked just as hard. Many’s the day I was filled with people doing “war work.” I swelled with pride knowing I was a part of all this.
Three seasons out of the year the Mr. And Mrs. enjoyed me, with their children and friends. I always dreaded winter when no one seemed to need my comfort. When the wind was high everything had to be stored away. And the rain! Oh my, how I dreaded the rain. At least the Mr. And Mrs. kept my boards painted; otherwise I would have stayed wet.
Ah, but then the nice days would return along with activity. So many wonderful days and evenings with friendship and love. One thing about the Mrs. She would not tolerate any unpleasantness on her comfort. The Mr. backed her 100 percent. The Mrs. always said she wanted only “feel good” memories of time spent on me.
Sadly, the Mr. And Mrs. are gone. It is sometimes lonely to be here without their love of life to savor. But change is something I am used to. To live is to change and that includes me. At first there was just the tranquility of the Mr. And Mrs. Then the children came, crawling, then running across my boards, their young laughter carried on the breeze, later sharing childhood secrets with friends, then finally bringing their own special love to share my comfort.
Now there is the newest generation. Those wonderful grandbabies to repeat the process all over again. The Mr. And Mrs. were able to see them grown and starting the greats.
Yes life changes but it also repeats itself. I’m starting my fourth generation of memories. Different but the same. Know what I mean? I have been cherished by each generation and I’m still dressed special and Old Glory is still revered. I am still called “comfort.”