This is the home of my Uncle Donny & Maggie that they lived in, and loved since the mid 90's. My Uncle LOVED his house and took so much pride in fixing it up...HIMSELF! He worked so hard to make his yard look 'yard of the month' perfect. Flowers were incredible and bird feeders everywhere. Green plush grass & not a weed to be found. It was not unusual to drive past his house on any given day and hear his "Polkies" as he referred to them, blaring out the windows while he washed his truck in his driveway, and as Maggie cooked her famous Pork & Sauerkraut dinner!
How I loved visiting this house. It was small. Very small. Not exactly up to date, and by no means perfect. But you just felt good every time you entered it. Everyone did. You couldn't help it. I don't ever remember a time ever walking into this house that I didn't come out feeling good. I can still hear to this day Donny saying " Hey Michella!" or Maggie saying " Heyyyy girl" when I would walk in the door.
But that has all changed. My Uncle passed back in 2007 and we lost Maggie last year. The house is empty, the weeds have sprouted up and little by little the house is changing from its happy, warm loving home...to an empty shell. The first few times I went by it to get the mail...I couldn't even look at it. Every time I opened that mailbox and could see the background of the home in my view, I would get this huge lump in my throat. I told my husband I couldn't do it anymore. It was just too much.
I took this picture a couple of days ago, because I'm afraid if it gets any worse I might forget what it was at one time. It also reminds me to always appreciate the little things. Like they did. A simple 30 minute visit, a simple hello like the one from my Uncle ...or the sounds of Maggie's sweet high pitched voice screeching with excitement from just a simple visit from me...is something I don't ever want to forget. Its a reminder to all of us the importance of family and our time that we give to each other.
Maggie taught me a lot. More than any school or college degree could ever give me. She loved unconditionally. Everyone. She could be sick, in pain, depressed or exhausted...and she still had a smile for everyone. Even in her last days and heavily sedated, she smiled and waved as they wheeled her out of her room for more tests. This woman nearly never spoke an ill word about anyone. She welcomed the positive and avoided the negativity of family gossip & drama. Like I said, she taught me a lot.
My Uncle Donny was so proud. He was proud of his house and how he made it a home. He was proud of how he moved from that little town Pittsburgh, Pa. to the big city of Jacksonville and made it work. He loved to show off his home to his close family. I only wish more family would have stopped by a little more often....it meant more to him than those close to him will ever know.
People leave us, and houses can change...but the memories left behind are whats most important. We can make the life we live now a heaven or hell, but its up to each person to change to make it better. Live. Love & Laugh a little more every day...its how Don & Madge would have wanted it. :)
