Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Farmhouse Memories



Early one Sunday morning recently, we had a strange car drive up into the yard of the farmhouse. Out stepped a lovely retired couple. He had retired from the Secret Service after serving from Nixon to Clinton. She had raised their children.

A quest for memories of his childhood had brought them to our door. He grew up in our farmhouse!



We invited them in and the man looked around with wonder as he stated with tears in his eyes, "I wish Mama could see this!".

His mother's name was Lillian. Ms. Lillian was the person who planted the Crepe Myrtles, Quince bushes, Crinim Lillies, and other long lasting old fashioned plants in the yard.



He explained to us how the rooms were used when he and his two brothers were growing up and how things had been changed around.

Just imagine little boys playing in the farmhouse back in the 1940s!



I remembered this marble that appeared in the shade garden after a rain and thought about the little boys collecting marbles!



The small storage building behind our house was their smokehouse. There was no indoor bathroom, but I'm not sure where the outhouse was!

It turns out that the room we use as our tv/family/living room was a formal living room and our bedroom was the family room for him when growing up. I was happy to find out that Ms. Lillian had a quilting frame set up in what was their formal living room most of the time. When the boys came home from school and saw the ladies quilting they got excited because they knew there would be teacakes!



I love to learn about the people who have loved this home in the past. It's so nice to know I am following in the foot steps of ladies who loved the same things I do.... quilting, gardening, cooking.

Thank you Ms. Lillian and Ms. Albertha for paving the way...

13 comments:

Impera Magna said...

What a lovely thing to happen... to meet such nice folks and learn a little a little history about your home! How nice to know that you are carrying on the gardening and quilting...

ancient one said...

If rooms could talk... and someone came by and told you some of the things they would have said... I know you will treasure the information that they told you!

Mary Ellen said...

How wonderful!

Mary Ellen
The Working Home Keeper

Little Penpen said...

What a super awesome story!!!! Did you get pic's of the man? I'll bet you got goosebumps when you found out that Ms. Lillian made quilts in your house, too!!

Auntie M said...

Debbie,
What a wonderful post. This house was meant for you and hubby. You seem to be walking down the same path as former residents. You will need to remind me of the identity of Ms. Albertha.

I can only imagine the memories the visit you describe stirred up for the gentleman who came.

Cheree @ The Morning Latte said...

I bet he was sooo happy to see his childhood home in such good hands!

Anonymous said...

Hi Debbie,
This is so neat. I just knew when i seen the house it was meant to be your house.
Hugs,
Elizabeth

L said...

How lovely for you to meet that man who lived there years before you. You learned some new things about your home and his memories were even more cherished. I bet you really made his day.

Dianna said...

What a beautiful story.

Susannah said...

If only your walls could talk...but the next best thing occurred when the man could tell you of the past! It's nice to meet people who can give you wonderful information about your house. Very interesting!

Susannah

Kathryn D. Duke said...

What a special post...I have visited where we have lived in the past too and owners were not as kind as you were...they have to feel soooo good knowing that you are taking such great care of "their home"... !!

Susan said...

What a sweet visit! I'm sure it was sweet for him, and what fun for you to know how the rooms were used in the past!

Savories of life said...

Your blog blessed me. do come over!

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