Comments on: Dream Home

By: Alyson

Alyson — Wed, 21 May 2008 02:35:01 +0000

Wow. I love this post.

I, too live in my grandparent’s old house. I love it. It centers me, and reminds me who I am, and how I got here.

Really? That’s very cool, and comforting. I haven’t physically moved into the house yet, but I suspect I will experience feelings very similar to yours.

By: Taoist Biker

Taoist Biker — Mon, 19 May 2008 13:31:21 +0000

Wow. That is one fantastic story.

I sometimes think it’s strange how people do or do not feel their familial roots. You don’t have to be some obsessive genealogist to do so. But some people just don’t, I guess, and I think that’s a bit strange.

Thank you. I know I am blessed to have the family that I do.

By: betme

betme — Fri, 16 May 2008 15:15:53 +0000

Luke, you have left me in tears. What a beautiful family.

(my first haiku attempt… I don’t follow rules so well)

Grandma’s nurturing love
Grandpa’s patriarchal support
Forever memories

Big HUGZ and wishes for many more happy memories in your home.

Thank you very much for the well wishes, and I’m glad you enjoyed my post. You’re right, you don’t follow rules so well!

Also, to everyone…great poems, but I never said you had to write Haiku’s here! That was only for the Haiku Friday post.

By: descksoon

descksoon — Fri, 16 May 2008 14:21:42 +0000

Luke, your post reminded me of the ‘unique’ relationship I had with my grandmother and how I had to stay behind in Singapore while the rest of the family went to see her during her last days. I had never been the eldest grandson she wanted in terms of providing her with her first great-grandchild. But I know that whatever I did in life, as long as I was happy, she would be happy. Your post moved me to tears and I really believe now that I should steadfastly pursue my dreams…

Dreams may come and go
Happiness comes to those who
Dream big and believe

Thank you for sharing that. You should take comfort in the fact of knowing that all that our grandparents ever wanted for us was to see us happy. It sounds like yours saw that, as did mine.

By: Matt

Matt — Thu, 15 May 2008 14:51:50 +0000

Regarding the whiffleball, how sweet was it when we came up with the lawn chairs to be our fielders at each base? Remember the garden(s) being like outfielders? (It was an automatic out if one hit it in the garden so as to avoid having the fielder run wildly into the garden – squashing plants – to quickly retrieve the ball. Also, remember the reason that the “field” was moved so home plate was on the concrete driveway? That was a result of Dad/Grandpa not being happy about the brown, dead spot in the yard where we all stood to bat. So, it was moved to the driveway…lol. That made sliding into home a precarious choice. We may have to have a whiffleball game some time when Dan is in too (if I ever stop being a swollen fool, that is). Also, I clearly remember the yellow leftover dish Mom used. Like something out of a Pavlov study, I’m sure I’d drool immediately upon seeing it again. Hey, that would be a sweet welcome into heaven. Mom standing there with that dish full of pork chops.

The lawn chair idea was a genius one. It enabled us to play whiffle ball one-on-one, which meant more whiffle ball for everyone! I also remember Grandpa not being overly excited about all the dents in the siding of the house from the multiple times we’d hit it with either a thrown whiffle ball or a stray basketball. I clearly remember those things, too. That dish represents YUMMY.

By: Becky

Becky — Wed, 14 May 2008 15:03:10 +0000

Luke,

That was fabulous to read. I enjoy your blog in general. I love getting to know mom and dad from your perspective.
I too have had a vision from mom and grandma during a guided meditative session in which dad and I participated. Maybe more on that later.

Dreams and visions sent
Suffusing minds hearts
Lifting progeny

Aunt Becky

Thank you, and thanks for the poem. Perhaps you can fill me in on your “session” one night in Hilton Head… I can’t wait!

By: Peter Parkour

Peter Parkour — Wed, 14 May 2008 06:55:52 +0000

Beautiful post and the first to move me to tears. I’m glad to hear you and the miss are going to be moving soon. I’m very happy for you both. Do you already have work lined up there?

Following in Matt’s footsteps I’m gonna give this haiku business a whirl. I shied away from that post, but here goes:

At first I was scared
Then I was a bit intrigued
Hey this could be fun

My granny was from Illinois, but lived out her last years (happily) in Arizona with my mom. My grandpa (piece of sh…let’s just say we don’t get along) still lives (regrettably) in Illinois. I envy what you had, and what you still have (in your heart) thanks to your grandparents. Congratulations on the house. Enjoy.

Thank you very much, I appreciate that. Luckily, I’m able to transfer with my job. Another great poem, but why is everybody Haiku’ing here? I’ve created a monster…

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 13 May 2008 19:12:09 +0000

I’ve left my serious comment, now, here’s a haiku in the spirit of your previous blog:

Bob, Katie, happy
Family tree keeps spreading
Healthy roots sprout life

Kudos! I like that a lot.

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 13 May 2008 19:05:18 +0000

“She was always there if you needed a hug or a talking-to, and both were invaluable. She filled my mother’s shoes beyond capacity, probably without even realizing it and most definitely without trying to do so.”
Very, very true. Mom was so unassuming and so darn perfect in the common sense department. And that cooking, mmm. How about those chicken and dumplings? For those who don’t know, my mom and dad ran a couple of their own restaurants back in the day. I wish cooking like that still existed.
I think, more than anything, Mom just wanted her family to be happy. She has to have a big smile on her face today! My dad too, of course. They always loved having you there when you stayed. (Except for the time you accidentally left your pager there, and they didn’t know what the hell it was when it went off (these were the type of people who had zero chance of programming a VCR or setting its clock.) They became nervous when the pager kept beeping and eventually put it in the middle of the back yard, afraid that it would “go off” like a bomb. Bless their hearts. I know they are in a happy, pager-free place now! They were truly beautiful members of the greatest generation. ”
Thanks for you post.
Uncle Matt

So true, Matt. NOTHING could beat a home-cooked meal by Grandma. I crack up every time I hear that beeper story, because I knew nothing about it when it happened. Thanks for the comment… today is a very good day.