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I do not know just where to start
So I’ll simply express what is in my heart
The thoughts, the feelings, the memories last
Please join me as I’m reflecting past.
When I was just a little tot
My family lived in the next door lot
And as I grew from tot to child
The journey of self was uniquely styled
For many and hour was spent inside
The house next door where I did reside
And just as many were spent outside
To his grand old house my soul is tied
Built long before even my parents were born
This house on 201 E Vine is a little worn
The date it was built was around 1903
But it could be older than a mere century
This grand old house built of brick and stone
Holds many a memory that I own
Of a player piano with magical keys
Just one more time……pretty please!
A birthday with a Mickey Mouse cake
And then a pony ride I did take
On a huge chestnut to the corner and back
Then feeding him an apple snack
Of a little girl about the age of five
Who stepped on a nail……but did survive
To further learn of secrets kept
An eye drawn on the basement step
The drums, an accordion, or horn to blow
The music resounded from high to low
And happy children played their tunes
And danced about like silly goons
More often on a sunny day
Outside in the back is where we’d play
A wishing well and fish pond new
A sand pile, swings, and tree house too
A garden delight with fruit trees galore
Apricot, plum, cherry, and apples to score
Concord grapes and a pumpkin patch
All within reach for a child to snatch
A park close by our cottonwood creek
On inner tubes we’d often sneak
Baseball diamonds were all around
Family get together’s often found
What wonderful memories of the past are mine
Of the unique old house at 201 E Vine
And yet our family did move away
But not to far from Vine did we stray
Well the years passed by this unique old house
Different owners did try to rouse
Some of the “old glory “ to restore
Split and divided then add two more
My father and two friends this house did buy
As rental income they decided to try
And would you believe that fate played a part
That a few years later a new family would start
Reflecting past toward her childhood - she presently stood
In a room full of memories so preciously good
For she had played in these rooms as a child long ago
This unique old house had reunited two souls
In the upstairs apartment began the Shaw three
Dan, Becky, and Aliscia’s new home this would be
The weeks turn to months, the months to years
Within these walls comes love, laughter and tears
Aliscia is growing with friends Tigger and Pooh
Mom and Dad’s new arrival soon will be due
Our family is expanding to add one more
A son came our way – we now are the Shaw Four
Well new challenges soon face us, there’s no time to rest
Chris has major surgery we’re put to the test
For it’s just the beginning of many changes to come
Dad decided he wants out….we are left quite numb
But blessings come in the most mysterious ways
A new baby will join us in so many more days
And though their marriage came to an end
A new sister Megan the Lord did send
Our lives changed again when Grandpa came to say
He was moving us downstairs the following day
So now we live in big apartment number one
Mom again reflects past to a childhood of fun
It seems this old house is destined to be
Intertwined with my mom and now her family
For the fondness and joy she lovingly smiled
Within these walls she now shares with each child
She created a childhood for each of her kids
Some can, shouldn’t, wouldn’t, but sometimes did’s
From season to season, and the holiday’s too
You never quite knew just what she would do
From green eggs and ham with green french toast
To hidden Easter baskets, egg collecting the most
Homemade Mother’s and Father’s Day cards
A passing parade and fireworks from front yards
Lets see there’s Back to school and Labor Day BBQ’s
And Halloween decorating with a bubbling brew
From witches, goblins, the grim reaper and a ghost
The front of the house was too scary for most
Thanksgiving dinner shared with one and all
Full-bellied family from the table they stall
And Christmas themes were quite an event
Yard decorations of a Christ child sent
And New Years Eve was a celebration too
For we all looked forward to themes that were new
Birthday’s and holiday’s, and Sunday dinners together
These family traditions well treasure forever
For family came first……our Mom took the lead
The love and the nurturing abundant indeed
And soon reconciled – Mom and Dad re-wed
Our family together forever they plead
The memories that I carry within my heart
Are so numerous and many…..just where do I start
For within these walls I have laughed and cried
Brought home three babies……sought comfort when Dan died
For over forty years ago did this child make believe
A castle of granite my mind did weave
For over forty years I have known this old house
Unique and resplendent my dreams yet to douse
Yet how can a house made of stone have a soul?
That calls forth to another it’s depth yet to toll
It’s years’ stretch beyond the life I am liven
But many a family before has it given
Shelter, protection the fulfillment of dreams
Brick upon brick, massive wooden beams
Glass to let light in and keep out the cold
The foundation from God is stone of old
The granite of Temples, the brick from the earth
The pinewood floors and mahogany hearth
The walls that are plastered with limestone and clay
God gave us the elements – a mans home stands today
For how can two souls from different elements meet?
When one stands from timbers the other on two feet
The answer is really quite simple you see
It’s one of those gifts God has given you and me
