A grand home

Today I unexpectedly found myself at the doorstep of my Grandma's home. My mom and sisters walked inside with me. There was a collective sigh and then silence. We all walked in different directions. There was a reverence in the silence. I wandered to the kitchen and snapped a few pictures. I  stood there and my thoughts flew to the times I spent in that kitchen with Grandma. When I was a child the kitchen was always filled with something tasty. Grandma would never let us leave without a treat. At times there was toast with jam and cheese on it. Other times it would be a chocolate from See's. As I looked at the kitchen today I could not help but think of all the wonderful, homemade, delicious food that was prepared there. Lunch was at noon and dinner at 5. There was always a stack of bread and cold butter on the table. Her beautiful tablecloths under the plates. I could hear my sisters talking somewhere so I followed their soft voices to the living room. We commented on how unreal the windows are. The light flooded in. My heart was flooded. I could suddenly hear the theme song from her favorite British comedy, Keeping Up Appearances. The times I spent overnight on the big purple couch with sheets and a lovely pillow all came to me. I could picture the house at night, quiet and warm. I felt safe there, with kisses from both grandparents. My next steps took me to the hall. It broke my heart and I could not move my feet. I snapped more pictures. Like a dream I could hear the lovely WHOO HOOO! coming from down the hall. It made my feet move down the creaky hall. I ended up in the bedroom that overlooks the backyard. I found my Mom looking out the window. Tears slipped down her face. She said this was the only home she had ever known. Her eyes were far away in a memory. My arms closed around her. As we walked out of the room I stopped at the door. My hand reached for that familiar smooth doorknob. How many times did her hand touch this? How many times had mine? I left my hand there and turned it slowly. It made that same sound. I smiled and I broke a little more.  I drifted to the basement. We were all there together, silently looking through boxes. I found a little box full of birthday cards still waiting to be sent. I thumbed through them. I smiled. I cried. Smiled because of how organized she was. Smiled because the cards were the most gorgeous things ever. Where did she find stuff like that? I cried because I know that none of us will ever get one of those cards again. All around me was evidence of a grand life. A life full of everything. I saw maps, kites, art, bottles, cake dishes, and a million National Geographic magazines. That house. That house. It holds different memories for everyone. My memories are interwoven deep in my heart. Nothing will take that away. I want to thank my beautiful Grandma and my darling Grandpa for giving me a full heart. It was love in that grand house.