Hallie & Nick arrived at the farmhouse rather late Friday night. "We went through Orofino on our way here," said Hallie. "The house was dark." "No decorations, huh?" I asked. "More than that -- no one there. No lights -- not so much as a security light. And the cars are covered."
I wouldn't go back if I could. And I wouldn't trade today's blessings for yesterday's. Still -- it was hard to think of the house standing in darkness at Christmas. I just can't think of a way to develop this entry that seems very productive. Somehow, though, this little tribute to the way it used to be seemed in order. KW
8 comments:
It does seem sad that the house that held so many joys and memories now stands in darkness. Almost like the Spirit of Love has gone from it. Now, let us rejoice that Jesus Christ was born, and to the purpose of saving us from our sins through His Atonement. I love Him for that. CW
Thank you for these precious pictures. They bring back many memories for me--for many years your house was my second home.
I've had a cold for weeks and haven't done more than the basics so I'm sorry I haven't gotten a newsy email off to you lately. I promise one is forthcoming.
We are off to Lewiston in a little while to spend the day at Jenny and Greg's with John and family. Mom and Dad will be there, too.
Merry Christmas!!
Love,
Chris
You are a good friend, Chris. I'm sorry you aren't feeling so well. A newsy email will be great when you feel like it. Meanwhile, that's why we have the blog -- to keep in touch in a busy world.
And Chuck, thanks for the reminder of the deeper purpose of our individual lives. Merry Christmas to all!
Until I married LJ I had never spent a Christmas with anyone but the 6 of us in my own family. I was overwhelmed but loved going to "Grandma's" for Christmas Eve! I, too, am sad at the thought of the house being dark after all those wonderful Christmas Eve's we spent there. I considered Dorothy and Vance my grandparents too!
Kathy: This is going way back in your blogs, but who are the two people in the photo from Dec 24, 2007? Such sweet faces and a warm and happy setting with the lovely decorated tree. Also, what is the date of the photo?
The picture is of my mother and dad, Dorothy and Vance Dobson. I believe my half-brother, Charles Walrath, took the pictures and I would date them at about 1980. (The photos are undated in my file.) The house is located in Orofino, Idaho. Daddy decorated the outside while Mother focused on the tree and inside decorations. We gathered for the extended family Christmas celebration through 1990 and moved Mother from the house in 1991. The elderly California couple who purchased the house use it as a summer home -- aren't even there at Christmas.
Thanks for the details. What a lovely couple. What lovely memories.
The house in Orofino was the family home from 1945 until 1991. It was a Sears pre-fab constructed in 1910.
The new owners said that members of the community often spoke to them of the Christmas decorations, but they said it was not their thing and they had no particular talent for it. Appaently they tried to put up a Christmas tree but it fell over. It has now been 20 years since we sold the house and a whole generation knows nothing of how it appeared at Christmas under my dad's magic spell.
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