The Table

The last piece of history that left the house was The Table.  It was the kitchen round table that we sat around to enjoy meals and fellowship with one another on many visits to Mom’s. So, what prompted this occasion of the table leaving?

The Table was the end of a journey and the beginning of a new journey in
my life and my family. Starting in February of this year, I became the owner
of the family home. The home our family (and especially my mother)
occupied for 53 years. I began the process and journey of cleaning out and cleaning up the house to prepare it for its next use as a rental.

"Oh if these walls could talk” depicts the house on Meadow Oaks. So, what would these walls say? They would speak of the love of a family; the dreams of a family; the struggles of a family; the triumphs and victories of a family; the grief of a family in loss; the faith of a family; the imperfections of a family; the forgiveness of a family; and the commitment of a family to one another. And as I entered this house in February as the new owner, my journey began.

The sifting, the sorting, the tossing, the keeping, the selling, and most of all, the remembering. Remembering the woman who worked late into the night to sew a new dress for me only to rise early the next day to put on her hat as the professional nurse. Remembering her sitting at her desk to pay the bills and to write out cards that blessed others. Remembering her words of instruction to teach me how to clean a house well and be proud of the work done. And most remembering the times at The Table.

Times of good meals shared with many and few. Times of fellowship to talk of life events, adventures, opinions on current events, and the faith that anchored our lives. Times of seeing her sit there as we said our goodbyes and gave our hugs to head back to our home until next time.

So, today, as I gave The Table to another home--another family. I remembered and I said “goodbye.” At the same time,
I said “hello.” Hello to another time of life. Hello to another journey. Hello to the walls of Meadow Oaks speaking again of family and life. And may the love, the joy, the hope, and the faith that guided this home for the last 53 years guide the course as the next journey begins.

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