A house stands empty. It's last occupant gone. The windows bare and soulless, staring blankly at the street. It is winter and the once beautiful front garden is leafless and colourless.
Occupied by one family in its many forms for 56 years it holds their history and secrets within its walls.
It will tell you of the day in 1963 when a young married couple and their baby daughter moved in. Hope was strong even if they had little money but the rent was always paid and there was never any hiding when there was a knock at the door.
The family grew with another girl being born in the front bedroom the following year and then sixteen months later a longed for boy.
The Father of the family worked hard to support his family and they were to be seen every June packing the car boot until no more could be squeezed in to depart upon their family holiday for one week. The Father was always heard to be telling the children to use the lavatory prior to setting off as they would not be stopping until they got there!
The house would rest then from the constant noise of fun, arguments and tribulations of three young siblings and the normal domestic disagreements of their parents.
The back garden would become a playground and when the shed was erected a wonderland of fanciful make believe games could take place rain or shine.
Later the house stood guardian as the children went out onto the street to play with the many other children that lived on the street.
There were parties. Children's birthday parties with jelly and blancmange and home made cakes. Family get togethers at Christmas and other times, where the house would ease its walls out in order to accommodate the large numbers of people within. In later years it saw parties to celebrate many years of marriage.
The Mother returned to work as the children grew and a little hard worked for prosperity was enjoyed. The garden became a passion for her and she grew roses the envy of any professional grower. Her lawn was pristine, not a weed was ever allowed to to take root.
The House watched the children grow to adulthood and leave one by one and so just the parents remained along with the faithful dog. A decision was made to buy the House and then followed improvements which made the House look different to those around it.
Gradually the House was filled with Grandchildren, all beloved. Again there were the sounds of shrieking when paddling pools were filled during summer months and in the winter, the house would enjoy full family Christmases once again.
One day the Mother left to never return and the House was a comfort to the Father, its familiarity useful when eventually he lost his sight.
The House had seen warmth and happiness, pain and despair. Homecomings and departures. It was Home.
Occupied by one family in its many forms for 56 years it holds their history and secrets within its walls.
It will tell you of the day in 1963 when a young married couple and their baby daughter moved in. Hope was strong even if they had little money but the rent was always paid and there was never any hiding when there was a knock at the door.
The family grew with another girl being born in the front bedroom the following year and then sixteen months later a longed for boy.
The Father of the family worked hard to support his family and they were to be seen every June packing the car boot until no more could be squeezed in to depart upon their family holiday for one week. The Father was always heard to be telling the children to use the lavatory prior to setting off as they would not be stopping until they got there!
The house would rest then from the constant noise of fun, arguments and tribulations of three young siblings and the normal domestic disagreements of their parents.
The back garden would become a playground and when the shed was erected a wonderland of fanciful make believe games could take place rain or shine.
Later the house stood guardian as the children went out onto the street to play with the many other children that lived on the street.
There were parties. Children's birthday parties with jelly and blancmange and home made cakes. Family get togethers at Christmas and other times, where the house would ease its walls out in order to accommodate the large numbers of people within. In later years it saw parties to celebrate many years of marriage.
The Mother returned to work as the children grew and a little hard worked for prosperity was enjoyed. The garden became a passion for her and she grew roses the envy of any professional grower. Her lawn was pristine, not a weed was ever allowed to to take root.
The House watched the children grow to adulthood and leave one by one and so just the parents remained along with the faithful dog. A decision was made to buy the House and then followed improvements which made the House look different to those around it.
Gradually the House was filled with Grandchildren, all beloved. Again there were the sounds of shrieking when paddling pools were filled during summer months and in the winter, the house would enjoy full family Christmases once again.
One day the Mother left to never return and the House was a comfort to the Father, its familiarity useful when eventually he lost his sight.
The House had seen warmth and happiness, pain and despair. Homecomings and departures. It was Home.
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