Tonight while having a WhatsApp group chat with friends talking about old times I remembered the home I grew up in.
Our house
In the middle of a terrace, in a horse shoe surrounding a green
It was home to us all. Our safe place, the best sight ever seen.
In the winter icicles appeared on the window inside as well as out
No heating in the bedrooms so we froze without a doubt.
The backroom was cosy there was always a fire in the grate
We fought to sit at the hearth, huddling together extra heat to create .
Summer was different the windows and doors open wide
The garden full of veg and blackberries and mud we’d trail inside!
Christmas time was special everyone hanging up the glitter
Mum baking in the kitchen Dad and the boys having a sneaky bitter.
When I was little, everyone went to midnight Mass except Mum and me,
We’d stay home and dress the Christmas tree. Ready for the others on their return see.
There were so many of us yet no one was ever turned away
Whoever turned up was welcome, relative , friend, waif or stray.
Dad had an office in the front room each night he’d do his Union work
Men came for help. After his working day. His responsibilities he didn’t shirk.
There were only three bedrooms all packed to overflowing
It could be very hectic because we would not stop growing.
Four generations. So many memories, too many to share
Sadly the house is sold and closed to me, though it is still there.
We all got Married from that house, we were all were blessed
Our Parents did not have much but they always did their best.
Funerals Parties and reunions it was always the place to meet
For over sixty years it made our lives complete.
In the middle of a terrace, in a horseshoe surrounding a green
It was home to us all. Our safe place , the best sight ever seen
Sep 22, 2020 @ 19:54:37
I liked your description of the tradition of midnight Mass and the special service you and your Mum provided by decorating the tree.
Sep 22, 2020 @ 19:59:19
Happy days, so long ago but still fresh Frank , still fresh.💜
Sep 22, 2020 @ 19:55:54
Willow, I really enjoyed this — brought back my own fond memories. 😊💕💗
Sep 22, 2020 @ 20:04:23
So long ago but still so fresh, Mum, Dad and Mary gone but everyone still hear in my head and heart.💜
Sep 22, 2020 @ 21:01:07
It’s amazing how vivid our childhood memories can be. And especially lovely when they’re GOOD memories! 😊💕💕
Sep 22, 2020 @ 21:02:19
Yes indeed, there were always so many of us,I don’t know how we all fitted in 💜
Sep 22, 2020 @ 20:30:22
I remember the council house I was born in in 1956. Dad helped deliver me.
Happy memories of a picture of a cat on a wall in the bedroom as painted by my grandfather, Christmases, swings in the garden, bikes hanging up in the lean to. makeshift tents over clothes horses or Mum’s washing line, wonderful.
Sep 22, 2020 @ 20:32:40
Yes indeed that’s exactly it, I guess there were so many in the house I didn’t spot you 😜🤭💜💜
Sep 22, 2020 @ 20:41:19
I’ll always remember the house I grew up in… great memories, sis!
Lovely post ❤
Sep 22, 2020 @ 20:47:06
Yes those memories and the lessons of love we learn then form us as adults 💜
Sep 22, 2020 @ 20:54:44
Absolutely, sis xx
Sep 22, 2020 @ 21:02:43
💜💜💜
Sep 23, 2020 @ 07:32:13
Such fond memories. The house we grew up in will always be special.
Sep 23, 2020 @ 10:08:01
Yes indeed always 💜💜
Sep 23, 2020 @ 09:21:01
Such lovely memories, Willow. I think most of us will always remember the house we grew up in more than any others we move in to. My father still lives in the house I grew up in. When I visit, everything looks so much smaller than I remember. My best memories of that house were the ones around Christmas time. That could well be a future post from me in December.
Sep 23, 2020 @ 10:09:41
That will be lovely Hugh we can look forward to that from you. Yes those memories never leave us 😂
Sep 23, 2020 @ 12:07:41
Sweet memories, penned off the cuff? Lovely
Sep 23, 2020 @ 14:56:13
Yes it was when I wrote it a few years ago, happy memories 💜
Sep 23, 2020 @ 14:47:20
This struck a chord since we are soon leaving our home of 37 years!
Sep 23, 2020 @ 14:52:19
It can be such a wrench, we all had a bucket of earth from the garden to put in our own gardens when the house was sold … something to keep forever 💜
Dec 01, 2020 @ 20:38:32
I went on a search today to find houses. Your house memories appealed to me. We all remember so much that is associated with our original house or where we landed for some years. Thank you for the tantalizing tale in poetic form. I am a free spirit but I have loved many houses associated with family–parents, grandparents, past family, current abode and daughters’ houses. I have for 15 years in Oakland, California. That is the longest place I have ever lived.
Dec 01, 2020 @ 22:19:41
Houses hold so many memories we need them. They make us who we are 💜