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.