Oh, I have so many WoNdErFuL memories of that house from growing up! We would play in the freezing water of the creek, put on plays with my cousins in the backyard, throw apples over the bridge and watch them float by, climb the mountain behind the house, and so much more!
But...
... my favorite memory - by far - is just sitting. I have countless memories of sitting on the front porch with my family and friends. We would wake up and eat breakfast on the porch. We would sit around and joke with Grandpa on the front porch. I would draw pictures on my sketchpad from the rocking chair on the front porch. We would eat Grandma's bbq ribs on the front porch. We played cards and other games on the front porch. When we were teenagers, my brother, Darren, would play his guitar and we would sing on the front porch. It was a place to greet visitors and walkers-by.
Just writing about it brings back certain sounds and smells and images.
Whenever I am asked what my favorite place was when I was young, I am almost always transported back in time to the porch at Grandpa and Grandma's house in Manitou Springs.
My mom made a witty comment a year or two ago about houses with front porches. She said she has always thought they were so charming to look at and thought she wanted a big one too, but she has realized that she rarely, if ever, sees anyone on their front porch!
What!?!
We live in a house with a front stoop. Three stairs and a concrete slab. Not exactly a front porch. On our little slab of a porch, we (Tim and I) have enjoyed nighttime talks and prayer after the boys are in bed. I enjoy sitting on the steps with the boys during the day eating popsicles or watching the ants march by. Just this morning, I was sitting with Ben, letting him enjoy the cool morning breeze and said "Hi" to two neighbors who were out for walks with dogs. It allows us space to get out of our home and into our neighborhood. This little stoop offers a breath of fresh air into our lives.
I remember dreaming with Tim after we were married a year or two about what characteristics we would love to have in a home. We were dreaming big! Fenced in yard, back patio, garage space for Tim to have tool space, master bathroom (ah!), three bedrooms, play room for the kids. The list was quite extensive, but one thing we both agreed on with lots of enthusiasm - a big, wrap around front porch!
I think (or hope) we would be people who would use it. We are thinking more seriously about moving to Hudson, where Tim is now working at the church. As we begin to make that transition we are prayerful that God would make it obvious what home to purchase and that he would prepare the way in the neighborhood that we may move to. Oh, and what a delight to ask God if we might have a front porch. One thing I've learned about God is that although we may not deserve or receive all the things that we want in this life on earth - He does delight in giving us good things and He alone is able to do abundantly more than all we ask or imagine.
I will ask for (not expect) a big, welcoming front porch for our next home. And while I wait to see how God might answer, I will enjoy my concrete slab.
