The house that built me

Still Thursday 3-21-13

The house that built me.

Driving into Shenandoah was overwhelming. So many things have changed. Old buildings have been replaced with new ones, some old farm houses still stand, and some have burned down. My brother drove me all around town. We looked at all of the houses our friends used go call home. He showed me the new houses where some live now. We drove past the bank and the churches, the Casey's mini marts and the hyvee in town. A new walmart has been built, along with a new school to replace the old elementary schools. It was eerie driving by the building that once was KYFR and the also by the hospital... Both are places that my parents once worked. We drove past parks I remember playing and hanging out in. Many, many high school evenings were spent in those parks. We drove past our old swimming pool and I was very disappointed they torn that pool down. It was such an awesome pool. But they did build a new pool probably 1/3 the size and added some cool slides to replace the diving boards.

Then going into my old neighborhood... Wow.... That was weird. Seeing my old house and my old tree that once was my home. Memories ... Oh the memories. I could hear the laughter of chasing fireflies and climbing the tree and losing my boots in the mud right in front of the tree. Playing with my friends and seeing mom's face looking out the front window with Packet (our dog) by her side. Seeing Packet just run .. And run.. And run.. From one yard to another and eventually coming back home. Seeing images of the ham radio tower my dad once had, looking in the backyard and seeing the hill that all the kids loved so much. It made a great hill to sled down in the winter, great hiding places for easter egg hunts, and a wonderful area for a garden of many vegetables; including black eyed peas. Seeing the trees that didnt exsist because of our sledding and missing some trees that are no longer there. Remembering the pussy willow plant out my back window and mom planting flowers all around. and my first bike ride down the hill (with no brakes); and remembering the trip to the hospital afterwards :( so many incredible memories are held by that house, yard and tree.

The color of the house has changed and I can see the years have not always been kind. But its my house, and these are my memeories swirling around like a tornado in my head. Which reminds me of the tornadoes that went thru our back yard and a neighbors yard too. Its amazing anything is still standing. This is the house that built me into the person I am today. Mirlanda Lambert sings a song called "The house that built me." it is perfect for this moment of reflection. The chorus says "I thought if I could touch this place or feel it, this brokenness inside of me might start healing. Out here its like I'm someone else. If I could just come in, I swear I'll leave. Wont take nothing but a memory from the house that built me."

I did not ask to go inside... Some memories I do not want to replace. I know the furniture is different and I'm sure the walls have changed colors a time or two. And please, someone please, replace that blue carpet downstairs. :) But please, no one take my memories away.