The Way They Would Have Wanted It

Often times, when a nearby relative comes to visit us, they comment on the renovations we've done to the house, and ask me what I think my grandparents would have thought about the changes we made. In all honestly, it's nearly impossible for me to answer that question. But here's what I do think about.

My daughter Lena (their great-grandaugter) eats all her meals by the picture window in the kitchen where they used to eat their meals together, every day. And every morning she looks out that same window at all the wildlife that my grandpa used to love to nurture, and she already seems to appreciate it in the same way.

My parents look after Lena here during the day while my husband and I work, just like my grandparents did for me. They get to watch her grow and learn and explore this house, just as I did when I was little. I see Lena's grandparents adore her and shower her with as much love as is humanly possible, and it fills this house with joy on a daily basis.

We now sleep as a family in the same bedroom that my grandmother took her last breath in. Although that may seem creepy to some, to me, it is a sign that life continues in all it's cyclical, poetic beauty.

I always knew my grandparents wanted me to live in this house someday. They told me so ever since I was old enough to understand. But I never knew why it was so important to them until now. But now, I get it. It hit me like a ton of bricks recently, because I realized that I now have the life they always wanted for me. 

So yes, everything in this house is the way they would have wanted it.

Comments

[Amy]

Beautiful. This gave me goosebumps.

[Alicia]

:)

[Tanya]

::sniff:: that was sweet and very well said.

[Tara]

What a beautiful post!