Wednesday, July 1, 2009

The Old Barn


The Old Barn
Old Barn photo courtesy of Robb North

I have set out by the fields, unnoticed and unused for about fifty years. The old house has long been torn down and removed. I was built about a century ago of sturdy timbers and with loving hands, the neighbors came from miles around to help with the building. I was so proud to stand up straight and tall, I even had a nice red shiny coat of paint, which has long faded.

My hayloft was always full of hay and the children would play in the hay for hours, even the family cat slept here and had her kittens. The stall's were always full of cows and horses. I loved the sounds that were made here and when night came the doors were closed, it felt safe and comfortable. The only sound was the wise old owl, the bats flew in and out, I could hear the soft breathing of the animals, I forgot to mention the scurrying of thr mice.

Now I am lonley and dusty, spiders and mice are my only company, my doors have been closed for nearly fifty years. The hayloft still has hay waiting to be used. The stalls have only cobwebs clinging to there sides, they were cleaned out long ago.

Today, I heard a creak, then my front doors slowly swung open, a lady came in very slow as if not to disturb the ghost past. The air in here has not been disturbed for half century. The back doors was also opened, this created a soft breeze, it came in to mingle with the dust that had been in here for years. The smell of the fresh breeze brought back memories of a time long ago, it swirled the dust around and blew it out the back door. I could even feel the hay move a little.

Something bright and shinny was creeping in the front doors, it was warm and friendly, I recall it and remember how it warmed me in the early morning. She was still in here, I can feel her walking around, it felt so good to have someone in here. Then she opened a small door, went in, looked around and approched a small shelf, reached out her hand and found what she was looking for. Years ago, when she was a young child, and they were moving away, she put the turtle she had made at school way back in the corner of the shelf, she promised the turtle she would come back for it someday, and was glad no one had found it.

As she was closing up the old barn she turned to whisper a promise to the old barn, she also would return and rebuild the old home she once lived in as a child. Do we have treasurers that we have tucked away and promised some day to be back. I know we all clean out closets, old boxes and drawers to find at our surprise things we still have from long ago. The treasure from the past can spark many a memories, perhaps given by a loved one we no longer have with us.


31 comments:

Anonymous said...

So often we put away things that hold great importance to us for whatever reason. I don't think we should do that. ever. If it is important enough to keep safe, it's value should be displayed. I like this post very much. Today, I will find one thing i've put away and reintroduce it to my HOME.

Thanks for having me. I hope you'll visit me.

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

A most enjoyable read Margaret, I have things stored at my sons from when I was living in Spain and couldn't take it with me. only Monday I was looking through old photo's and cards , good memories and not so good memories came flooding back. Thanks for sharing.

Yvonne.

Judy said...

I just loved this. I have always had a fondness for old barns and wondered about the stories they could tell if they could talk. There are a lot of them in Kentucky that are abandoned. I need to go through my stuff, too. I am so glad you posted this. You and your family have a great 4th of July holiday.

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

I am assuming that you are the little girl..and that you came back for your little turtle..
Happy 4th of July Margaret.
Deb :)

Joanna Jenkins said...

Ahh, if those walls could talk. LOVELY post Margaret. Thank you :-)

Puss-in-Boots said...

What a lovely piece of writing, Margaret. I could really feel how the old barn felt. Thank you for that.

Renie Burghardt said...

I love old barns. We have quite a lot of them around here, many of them still used.

What a lovely post, Margaret.

Happy 4th of July weekend!

Renie

Linda said...

This made me cry. I love your thoughtful spirit - you view things much in the way that I do and I think that's a treasure.

Thanks for sharing this beautifully-written piece with us. Hope you and your family have a wonderful 4th of July! :)

Patty said...

What a beautiful and sad story all at the same time. I could feel myself walking around in that old barn. I use to visit my one aunt and uncle a lot and go to the barns with them to feed the animals and stand around watching while they milked their cows. I love it. I don't remember ever hiding anything though. Perhaps because it wasn't our barn, it was their barn. But it did bring back some memories. All of my aunts and uncles except for one Aunt, have passed on. My Mother of course is still living, bless her heart. But if you remember, I told you she was quite young when her and my Father got married.

Time to fix a bite to eat. Have a wonderful evening. Cool here and oh so nice, it's around 68 at the moment.

Anonymous said...

Old barns are left pretty much to themselves these days, at least around here. The animals are long gone and nobody ever goes into them. I think pigeons do and sometimes wildlife, but most are left and allowed to fall down. It seems a shame.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading your post today and Patty also read it to me before I read it. I enjoyed it both ways.

Lilly said...

Aww Margaret what a great way to present this post. It was excellent. I love the way you write!

Simply Debbie said...

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY MARGARET,
I love this beautiful story about the barn...I have so very many memories of granddad's barn...playing with my cousins. the alfalfa so sweet and humid and hot you could hardle breathe as you climbed to the hay loft for the open window...fresh air took on a whole new meaning.
wanted to stop by and give you a
Angel hug
debbie

DeniseinVA said...

Hi Margaret, I have missed reading your posts and am happy to be back. This one is so beautiful. I see many old barns of yesteryear. I wish all of them would have a happy ending that this one is going to have.

ancient one said...

Loved this post.... I have been thinking of you, Margaret... just recently I found a green bottle that was particially uncovered next to the pasture... and this weekend we visited an antique place in Swansboro, NC and I thought of you again... come see all the old bottles.... I am going to post them tonight..

Merle said...

Dear Margaret ~~ Old barns seem to be pretty
popular with most of it. I loved the story about your barn and how you loved it.

Thank you for your visit and I am glad you enjoyed "Before I was a Mom". Have a great week
my friend. Loved, Merle.

Chubskulit Rose said...

Hello there Ms. margaret! We got back since Sunday but wasn't able to visit blogs till now. They got sick (diarrhea) except me. We actually brought our son to the hospital today because he is fevered (still is till now.).

I would like to thank you all for the wonderful and encouraging words you said and left at my blogs. For the sympathy and prayers, and for those who shared their blessings to the family! May God bless you all for your compassionate hearts!

john said...

Thanks for the prayers and visits ms. margaret! We've missed the 4th of July celebration..

ryliej said...

great story..

A.Marie said...

Hello there! I found your blog while I was reading posts over at Rose's blog; I just like to click on names and see other people's blogs! I really, really loved this post. To write it from the Old Barn's perspective was so neat. I love old barn's, and in my mind, I could see the barn and the hayloft, the doors and the sunlight shining through the dust particles.....oh my, I do love barns! :)

cpm said...

Hello Margaret! I found your blog through Ancient One's blog! You are a wonderful writer...so descriptive and you created such a visual for me with this barn entry!
Hope you are having a great summer!

Yankee Girl ~ Missy said...

Man that brings back memories! Thanks for sharing!!!

Becky said...

Margaret, that is a wonderful story. I haven't been back for a while. No excuses, but I'll try to be better. I love your posts.
B.

Joseph Pulikotil said...

Hi Margaret:)

Greetings:)

Lovely memories beautifully presented. Town people like me never know of barns but it is amazing to read the wonderful things that happen inside a barn.

As we grow older we live on memories both good ones and bad ones.

Many thanks for sharing.

Have a wonderful day Margaret:)
Joseph

Margaret Cloud said...

Again I would like to thank my friends for coming by and leaving such nice comments. I also like to come to your blogs, all of you write such interesting topics.

Barbara Martin said...

A very nice post on an old barn. There are many older barns that stand alone in fields of Ontario and the prairies as a testament of days gone by. If the support timbers were kept dry then the barn can be restored to its former glory.

Merle said...

Dear Margaret ~~ Thank you so much for your comments and I am glad you enjoyed the jokes.
I have had 2 husbands, neither of them would dream of doing the tricks that husband did in the store, and glad your husband wouldn't either. It was a popular joke though. I hope the week ahead is a good one for you my friend. Thake care,
Love, Merle.

Chubskulit Rose said...

Visiting to see how things are going in your end..

john said...

Have a lovely monday!

marveling said...

have a great week ahead ms. margaret!

Linda said...

Hi,
I've been away on vacation and am just back now checking my favorite blogs. Don't see anything new since this last post, so just checking in to make sure all is well.
Your friend in Illinois - Linda :)

Sincerity said...

What a beautiful post! I am amazed how we tend to cling to the things of our past... how our memories can be triggered even by something as simple as a melody.
Thank you for sharing!

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