The timing of this week's topic is impeccable. I lived in one house growing up and only had one bedroom. My room had hardwood floors, white walls, some very cheery flower curtains,
a cute light switch,
a little red rug on the floor, and a cradle.
Long after I had outgrown the cradle, it remained in my room as a play toy for my baby dolls to sleep in. As I grew up, some other items moved in: a blackboard, shelves for all of my stuff, an old antique school desk and later a real desk. My "real desk"was mostly piled high with things (some habits are hard to break!). Occasionally, my mom would make me it clear it off. Then as I got older I actually needed it for schoolwork so I was somewhat better about keeping it clean. Somewhat...
a cute light switch,
a little red rug on the floor, and a cradle.
Long after I had outgrown the cradle, it remained in my room as a play toy for my baby dolls to sleep in. As I grew up, some other items moved in: a blackboard, shelves for all of my stuff, an old antique school desk and later a real desk. My "real desk"was mostly piled high with things (some habits are hard to break!). Occasionally, my mom would make me it clear it off. Then as I got older I actually needed it for schoolwork so I was somewhat better about keeping it clean. Somewhat...
Over the years, some of the items were moved out: the cradle and antique school desk were relegated to the basement. After I grew up and moved away, my room never really changed, until recently. With mom's decision to downsize, it was time to clean out. My old room has come full circle; the cheery flower curtains are gone, the little red rug has been moved to our home, the light switch with the little girl was saved as a memento, the walls have been painted, the old gray rug removed, and we’re back to hardwood floors. It's time to say goodbye to my old room.
52 Weeks of Personal Genealogy & History, by Amy Coffin of The We Tree Genealogy Blog, is a series of weekly blogging prompts to encourage people to record memories and insights about their lives for future descendants. It's not necessary to be a blogger to join in. Just record your memories on your own if you wish. 
© 2011, copyright Michelle Goodrum
Oh boy, I can imagine how you must be feeling. My bedroom at my mother's house, which I moved in to in 1962, looks almost exactly the same as it did when I moved out. In 1974. I'll bet there's still some of the same dust in there! As much as I want that room cleaned up I really dread the day I have to say goodbye.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying not to think about it too much so I don't get sad. I just can't believe we got it empty. And I suspect I vacumed up some of the same dust from when I was little. lol
ReplyDeleteTerrific post, sending some hugs, cause you are gonna need them before the house is totally gone.
ReplyDeleteLove that last photo, by the way!
Lots of goodbyes in our lives to special places we lived. This was a sweet remembrance of a special room. We said goodbye to a home and a neighborhood 45 years ago. I visited that place a few summers ago - under foreclosure. I could poke around. The cabinets my dad put in back in 1951 were still in the kitchen. It's not a neighborhood that "renovates." Good for me. I could see my home frozen in time.
ReplyDeleteCarol, Thanks for the virtual hugs :)
ReplyDeleteLinda, "Frozen in time" is such a good description of our home as well. It's kinda neat to almost literally be able to step through the door and be 40 or 50 years in the past. Nothing can bring memories back quite like that!
Michelle, I loved your light switch. I can't relate to living in any place more than 16 yrs., so it must be very nice to have such a connection to the house. You were lucky.
ReplyDeleteThanks Barbara. I think I was pretty lucky too.
ReplyDeleteMichelle,
ReplyDeleteThis was a great post with great pictures to go with it. You in the empty room is powerful. It is always hard to say good bye.