The Past Is a Place To Learn From

Not a Place to Live

This abandoned house was great in its day. Probably many days! How can we tell? Just look at it and think of all you can see from this angle. I can see it originally being built by or for a couple. Probably childless at the time. Young and just married and planning for their future.

I see them living in the two-story portion of the house in the rear of the photo. Bedroom(s) on the second floor with creaky wooden steps leading up from the first floor. This was the entirety of the whole house at that time.

The first floor has a large kitchen with a big ole kitchen table where much of the conversation and socializing is done. There is also an adjoining living room probably with a space heater or wood-burning stove in the rear, underneath the chimney shown protruding from the roof.

I see the couple sitting at the kitchen table planning their future. Planning on expanding their family. Either when the wife became pregnant or just before, planning an expansion of the house so that the growing family would have sleeping and living space.

Also, a sunroom bringing in heat and light from the sun through the windows.

This was also around the time that the house was beginning to become a home. Yes, there is a difference. A house can be seen. A home can be felt.

OK, that is what I see when I look at this photograph of an old house that surely has seen better days. Days that, unless you actually lived there at one time and made some of these memories, probably should be left in the past with all of the other memories.

The only thing you can do with it now is to consider what it would cost in money and exasperation trying to retrieve and restore it.

What’s to be learned here? As great as this house once was, and all of the memories that were made while it was alive with the yeas and neas of the former residents, why would you want it now?

Just what would you do with it if I gave it to you free of charge? You could put a For Sale sign on it and wait for the buyers to overwhelm you.

Or, you could pass on my offer and go on living your life. Yesterday is a canceled check. Tomorrow is a promissory note. Today is the only CASH!

How much could you purchase with a promissory note or canceled check?

So, which would you rather take to the store with you? Right. Cash! Especially if you wanted to make a purchase.

So, remember the “good old days” and then put it where it belongs — in your memories.

Today you are breathing and you can taste whatever you wish.

Today is all that there is. Today is not a dream or a nightmare. Every one of your senses is in play. None were when you were thinking about yesterday or when you are thinking about tomorrow.

So, quit wasting your time and emotions anywhere else. Make today count.

Thank you, God!

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