(No....NOT in a barn....)
Some of you may recall a post I did last September about "Going Home." At that time, I took my mother back to her home place....the place her grandfather had built, where she had been born, the place that, when I was 3 and her father passed away, she and my father purchased, and the place where I grew up.
A few weeks ago, she asked me to take her to the "other" home place. The one that she and my father purchased and moved into when they got married....and where I was born. I couldn't say "no," even though I knew the people who owned the place now were not particularly receptive to visitors.
(My older brother and me....)
Much had changed....the house was barely recognizable to the memories of my three-year-old mind.
(There was no garage when we lived there.....)
You could no longer see the Wisconsin River which flows directly behind the house....
The iconic fuel tank was gone:
(Me, my older brother, and "Rolf.")
Only a skeleton remained of the barn....
Yet, a bit of me remains there.
37 comments:
Hello Old Friend,
That post was so sweet, I know the day meant so much to your Mom. I love the photo of you two on the tank with your pet. Great story, Take Care, Kathy
Hello, looking back is so bitter sweet, love the post. Also love the picture with the two of you and the sitting up dog, to cute.Blessings Francine.
Hello again, What a very nice post! Love the pics, "Rolf" is so cute. Anna
Hi Robin,
Sometimes going "down memory lane" can be very different when we actually do go there, but I am so happy you have photos of those old times and that you can remember some as well! The picture of you on the oil tank is precious, and even the dog posed....too cute!
Have a wonderful day!!
Happy Hugs~~
Julie
You're so good to take your Mom back to visit her old home. Isn't it funny how our minds remember things. I used to go visit my Dads Aunt and Uncle and play at this "big" old farmhouse as a child. This spring I went back to this house and walked around amazed at how small the rooms were.
Such a nice thing to do for your mother. I hope that the new owners were pleasant to you both when you visited.
such beautiful photos, memories, I love that dog, looks like your parents were dog lovers as well, he or she looks like he's considered one of the family!Sometimes its hard to go back, you're a good daughter,
Going home I have learned the hard way is in our hearts. Thank goodness we can visit often.
The HomePlace always leaves a footprint in our hearts, and walks with us everyday for the rest of our lives.
Love the old photos. Too cute...Rolf posed too!!! Seems the older I get, the more I think back on my younger days. Is that what happens when you get older...you go back in time???
Have a good one.
Lois
Ahhh...memories - kind of bittersweet to see all of the changes. Love the pics from your childhood!
A true treasure shared, these image branches from your childhood home capturing your crow-tree-history....
Check your email - just sent you something from the heart of this post.
Hugs
Issy
So glad that you were able to go backto your childhood homestead. The house I grew up in is so unreconizable that I really do not want to go back there again. Then my paternal grandparents homestead was burned by the owner who was in forclosure hoping to get some insurance money. Thanks for sharing, Take care, Janice
Thanks for inviting all of us to share this trip with you.
hugs!
Carol
Your post brought me closer to you. Loved the photos. Rolf was handsome. You and your brother looked so happy. You brought my mind to back home Wisconsin. I don't know what the future lies, but the past remains etched in my mind.
Hugs to you and your Mom.
Oh goodness this brought back memories. My Mother was from Ohio and liked to go back too. We watched the movie, Back To bountiful, so many times, and when we would go back to Ohio, she would say she was going back to bountiful.(the title may not be exactly right, but that's what we called it)good post, I enjoyed it.
Sweet photos. I'm sure your mom was grateful for fulfilling her request. How I wish those days of old were the way of life today. Kids with parents, interacting, and family fun. Today it's hand held devices and detachment, answering to different fathers, if at all. I'll jump down from my box now. Enjoyed the post.
Robin ~
I hope this isn't my second comment. My first one went "poof"! Or so I think :)
Sweet post. Cherish those moments with mom!
Hugs :)
Lauren
Love those photos especially the one with the dog posing..smile...We moved alot when I was growing up,so grandma's old farmhouse is were our memories were made and shared.So lucky to still have grandma and the farmhouse to go home to.Hugs!~Amy
Now that is an all-American childhood! What wonderful memories you must have...growing up there. Such sweet photos and it must have been fun to share the return with your mom.
Thanks for taking us along,
Robyn
hi, Robin~ a wonderful walk with you down memory lane~ Very precious moments that your Mom & you can share days reminiscing~
I always enjoy family history mine or someone elses~
smiles
Teresa
Thanks for sharing! I loved seeing where you were born & I'm so glad you were able to honor your mom's request to go back & see the place : )
Hi Robin,
Love going down memory lane with you and the fabulous photos!
I guess it is true what my uncle always tells me "you can never go home again". Things change and it truly is different as a grown up.
Loved the journey with you.
Enjoy your day,
Barb
Hi Robin, glad you were able to take your Momma home, I know the last time I went home, everything looked so different, absolutely love the old photo, especially Rolf, he must have been an amazing dog!! Sweet memories to you!
Hugs, Mona
"the Old crow" :)
Must have been a fun visit with your Mom, even if the current owners aren't friendly. Just the drive by or pause by the side of the road would bring back a flood of memories for you both I'm sure.
Rolf looked like he was quite the character! ~Ann
It is always fun to see what has changed, but it is also sad that some of the things we loved most are now gone. hope you and your Mom had a good time visiting.
So I teared up reading your post Robin. I remember your Going Home post and loved it. Thank you for being the type of person that fulfilled your mother's request. That says a lot about you! And thanks for sharing the special personal memories and pictures. Very special. ♥ ~*~Lisa
Oh Robin! What a great trip you took your mom on! Trips down memory lane are good for the soul, even if things have changed so! Hoping you got some rain! OLM
Robin where is this? My brother and his family live on the Wisconsin river in Tomahawk WI. I love the old barn! This post reminds me of a country song by Miranda Lambert called The House That Built Me...too cool!
Have a great weekend!
Be blessed,
Cindi
Oh Robin what a wonderful trip filled with good memories you two had. It must have meant so much to your Mom.
I love the photo of you and your brother and your dog. How is your mom and son doing? Hugs--Mary
Nothing beats the sweet, sweet memories of our past. Rolf cracks me up...sitting up like a good dog!
hugs.
b.
Oh what a beautiful place to grow up...you are very fortunate to have that in your memories...I can see why your heart is in so many places.
Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams
I am glad you took her but I imagine it was bittersweet. It would have been for me.
I lived int he same house from 4 to 18 and it is not far from me. I have some really great memories of living there. But I am always... not sure of the word... heart panged? Heart achy? That seems appropriate... when I go by and see it isn't what it was.
Love the pic of you, your brother and Rolf! Good dog!
Carmen and the Primcats
I love that post of you taking your mother back home. It made me cry. This one is just as sweet. Thanks for sharing your heart. -Steph-
What a nice post--I'm a very nostalgic person and often make Al take me out of the way to see my old homeplace where Dad's garden was and where I used to barrel race my pony. Life seemed so easy then!!--Jan
Love it! How awesome :) Looks like a wonderful place to grow up! I love the dog in the picture, too cute.
Hugs~Stacy
Hi Robin long time since I've stopped in and I'm gald I did..what a great post! So glad that you and your mom were able to take trip back in time..I'm sure it was bittersweet as well as goose bumpy to see the changes and recall the memories especially for your Mom. I can't go home althought I hold many cherished memories of our Home, our farm and all of the good times as well as the hard times growing us on a working farm in the country! Our house was torn down sometime ago and the only thing that still stand is the old Pump..Sometimes I will go there and sit in the old drive and close my eyes and reel in the memories of my childhood..It was a hard life but a great life that I would not have had any diferent!
You will forever have the time you spent with your mom on your trips home to warm your heart long after she has gone..What a wonderful memory to pass along to your kids someday!!
Have a great weekend!
Hugs
Tonya
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