It’s really nice to be connecting with some people that actually know me and my family.
I have many fond memories of the town of Oxford and it made sense to write about
the place I loved best: home.
Thanks so much for stopping by and reading.
~m

interestingly, that house is on the market, it is fascinating to see it after 30 years!

So very nice to hear from you!
The Facebook site has put me in touch with some people I haven’t talked to in years.
I appreciate you taking the time to read and comment.
People are busy these days and I am blessed to have people that care enough to offer a few words.
Take care of yourself . . .
~m

Such a wonderful comment, Denise.
Thank you so much for reading and commenting.
I find it fulfilling in a way that people I know are reading this story.
It was a very important one for me to write.
Will be seeing you on Facebook!
Take care and thank again . . .
~m

This comment is SO you, and that’s a good thing too.
Love ya, kiddo.
~m

So glad you followed me.
There’s more to tell down the road . . .
~m

This story really touched my heart . As you may remember, we lost Dad (who had Alzheimers) on July 4, 2006. Our parents had moved from their house due to a hip fracture which no longer allowed my mom to climb stairs. Mom has been living at American House for about 2 years now so the house remains vacant. We have been trying to get it ready to sell. We have been driving to Warren every Saturday since February to work on the house. To begin with, there were NINE 4-drawer file cabinets to sort through and mostly shred. We divided the basement into 5 sections and spent almost a month in the first section of the basement. And so on it went. Now we see light at the end of the tunnel. No, we never did find $11,000.00 stored under a mattress like my father did when he cleaned out his mother’s house. But we found some treasures along the way–like a letter my Dad wrote my mom on Christmas morning in 1947, apologizing for not being able to afford to buy her the gift she so deserved but promising her that if she would stick around a lifetime, he would make it up to her. Which he did, several times over.

One of the hardest parts of dismantling their home came this past Sunday night. My father, like your mom, was a wonderful pianist, even to the day he died (despite his Alzheimers!). We met the movers from PianoPro at Mom and Dad’s home to send my dad’s Steinway piano off to Durham, North Carolina where our daughter lives. I felt as though they were carrying my father’s spirit out of the house as we stood by helplessly. I wondered how many times these men who had been moving pianos their whole lives had experienced this flood of emotion. As a few tears developed into a river, I explained that when they reached North Carolina the piano would be enthusiastically greeted by a 25 year old redhead, ready and waiting. A first grade teacher with a month left before school starts, our daughter would immediately sit down and begin to play and sing with all her heart…her grandfather’s soul would sing along with her, from the heavens, as they once did together here on earth. The piano has found its way to the perfect new home.

Thanks for finding ways for us all to connect with one another from our hearts. Times like these are made easier by expressing ourselves and knowing that we aren’t in it alone. Sincerely, Laurie Stirling

Oh, Laurie . . . I’m speechless and so very moved.
I understand this scenario completely.
Connection is a funny thing, isn’t it?
So nice to see a comment from you. I’ve missed them terribly.
Take care of yourself, your family and that Steinway Please don’t be a stranger. I still think you should start your own blog.
Call it “Dad’s Piano” . . .
Be safe, be well,
~m

I’ll be by to check it out.
Thanks for reading, Lolly.
~m

OK I just read it again. Terrific entry. I wish I had better words to praise it.