STONE MANOR

So, after 48 years, Mum has decided to sell her home.

48 years.  Can you imagine that?  48 years in the same place.  It’s baffling…

It’s a lifetime.

It’s where a young married couple bought and moved into their first home; the first one built in the street.  It’s a place where they would leave and return to for work.  It’s a place where they bought their baby home from hospital for the first time.  It’s where they nurtured and raised that child.  It’s where they entertained their families and friends.  It’s where they celebrated their joys, and grieved their sorrows.

It’s a place that has held many afternoon teas.  A place where many people have dropped in unexpectedly, any time of the day or night, knowing they would have a warm cuppa, a nice piece of cake and good company waiting for them.

It’s a place where friends and neighbours came if they needed a hand with something, or just a break and a chat.

It’s a place where there were always Mint Slice Biscuits in the fridge for Charlie-Albert.

It’s a place where friends would come around on Thursday night for fish and chips.

It’s where they planted and pruned their garden.  It’s a place where people walking past would stop and look at the garden; some even coming to the front door to ask Mum what sort of plant is that?  Sometimes, these complete strangers would leave with a cutting.

It’s the place where they filled in the fire place and remodelled the living area.  The place where a little girl’s bedroom started with purple walls and grey floral carpet (chuckarama), then had pink Asian wall paper, and ended up a soft, relaxing green.

It’s a place where a little girl ‘absolutely had to have’ a pink pedal car!  It’s a place where that little girl excitedly drove that pink petal car up and down the driveway, the wind in her hair…

It’s a place where a little girl’s father would lean against the front fence, watching his daughter protectively as she rode her bike up and down the street.

It’s a place where Lego cities where built, and magical adventures took place.

The place where they went from a retro cream leather couch, to some immaculate, burgundy and gold tapestry relic from the 1970’s.  It’s were people fight over the spare recliner in the back room.

It’s a place where the best tuna casserole on the planet is made.

It’s where they tore down and rebuilt a garage.  It’s where they built a small shed for their child, and converted it into a cubby house.  This same cubby house now holds their gardening tools and lawn mower.

Is a place where the work bench in the garage has more tools in it than Bunnings.  The same garage that has seen many cars modified, spray painted, hotted up and restored.  It’s a place where a broken toy or a loose handle on a pot were fixed.

It’s a place where birds and cats have lived and been spoilt rotten.

It’s a place that saw a daughter prepare for her wedding.

A place where my father was nursed through his illness before he passed away.  A place where people prepared for a funeral.

A place that is full of memories; some sad and some wonderful.

It’s a place where I hope, a new family will come to live.

It’s a home.