The two story brick-front house had once been considered "spectacular"---probably the

Last edited Sun Nov 20, 2022, 07:35 AM - Edit history (1)

finest structure in the little village in which it stood. Now, however, vines climbed out of the weeds that surrounded it to cover half of its exterior and the broken windows admit wasps, raccoons and skunks to what had once been a family's sanctuary; their safe place; their home.

Love had been made here. Children were nursed here. Thanksgivings and Christmases and Easters and birthdays were celebrated within these walls and snapshots of the happiness had filled albums.

Big dreams were dreamed here.

But, then, the new interstate was built through the far side of the county and the cars that used to stop for gas at "Bud's Texaco" and lunch at "Louise's Lunch Box" no longer passed through the little community in which such a fine home had been built. While travelers gassed up at the mega-stations on the interstate and had their lunch at one of the burger chains next to them, the village quietly died.

Maybe the family that had lived and dreamed here simply moved away.

Maybe the marriage that had lived here survived; maybe it died with the village.

Maybe the family eventually prospered elsewhere and "lived happily ever after".

Maybe their fortunes fared no better than the house and they spent their remaining years mourning the death of the village---their home---their dreams.

Though I did not know these people, I slow as I pass their house today in sadness and hope my dreams will survive.