End of an Era
Isn't it funny how much we want something new, but then as we pour through the pages of memories of the "something old," we are somewhat saddened to move on?
That's how it feels today. We lived in our house on Wigham in Burkburnett for over 20 years. Our children were aged 8, 7 and 6 when we moved in so that alone will attest to a lot of memories. Today I walked through the house and each room I was reminded of special memories:
Like the pantry door where we measured their heights for all those years...even into adulthood. We found that Brad grew over an inch from his high school senior year to freshman year in college. And, then Dad just wouldn't believe it when the boys got taller than him so we had to measure him as well just to prove it. OF course, by that time everyone was taller than me. Fortunately, the pantry door was something we could take to the new house with us.
Then, in LaShay's room we are reminded of all those nights that Dad would go into her room to say her prayers with her as he put her to bed (he did this with the boys too, but keep reading and you'll see why it is special). Upon arriving to those teen years when it is difficult to even know WHEN they go to bed much less PUT them to bed, his tradition kinda phases out. One night when she was about 18 she asked her dad, "Why did you quit praying with me when I went to bed?" He started again until she left for college. And, how well I remember first the white canopy bed with the pink & white checked canopy with matching bedding. She was so proud! I remembered all the times of listening to you practice your music with those volumes of accompaniment tapes you had in the room! I could almost hear you sing, "The Warrior is a Child."
For all their lives you boys had to share a room. First with bunk beds, then even a trundle to allow more floor space in that little room. And, lining the walls were shelves of trophies each a testiment to the many hours spent on the baseball, basketball and mostly soccer fields. So, as I went into their room today I was reminded of all those precious moments watching our boys compete, but also of the discipline and commitment they learned. We prayed for good coaches and God blessed us. It also reminded me of the times discipline had to be administered and Dad would send you to your rooms and tell you to lay across the bed to meet the wooden paddle or spoon. (which of you hid the paddle...and where is it?)
Next, in the living room where we spent so many family holidays and just times together. Watching you grow from those little kids into bringing home your future mates. Wow! Remember the time we put sheets all on the floor, then 8 ft. tables and had all the youth over to make a giant ice cream sundae in a gutter!?
The kitchen and dining rooms served as reminders of family time at the dinner table, chore lists posted on the refrigerator and scriptures like "Do All Things Without Grumbling and Murmuring." Still unclear about who did the chores!
Of course, outside is the basketball goal where you all spent many hours playing with each other and the neighbor kids. And, who can forget the famous garage sale where Brad sold his keyboard for $1? Remember when Max first appeared in our yard on a Friday night and by Monday she became a part of our family. Brad named "her" Max before he checked to be sure "she" was a "he." The name stuck anyway. And, Kaiser had a friend for years to come.
We love our new house and I know that the Lord will bless us with many new memories especially with our grandchildren, but none will surpass those precious years in that little house. God brought us through struggles, strengthened and blessed our family and then gave us a special gift to carry on the memories in another location. Memories are built in the heart and not a building, but as I walked through those rooms today I could hear the voices of the Bankhead family and rejoiced to know that God had given us so many precious memories.
posted by B-Mom @ 3:05 PM
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