If These Old Walls Could Speak

With any luck, when I get home this evening my sister will be there waiting for me! I am so excited. We had such a good visit when we went home to Louisiana for Mother's Day, and now we get to have another one so soon!

She and David recently built a house and this last trip was our first opportunity to see it. We went over that Saturday night to eat and hang out. First of all, I have to say that she and David has incredible taste. From the flooring to the light fixtures, this house screams, "I have style". I was so proud for her and happy to see her in a comfortable home of her own. There is nothing like the feeling of finally owning your own place after years of renting.

We had brought left-overs from Mama's house, and as we were bustling around the kitchen getting everything ready it felt so natural. This was the first time I had ever been in her kitchen, but there we were reaching around each other and getting everything prepared for dinner. It made me long to live closer to her so that we could have more evenings like that one. Comfortable and easy, with that complete sense of belonging as though it were my own home.

This is what family is all about. The familiarity with each other and our history transcending new situations and environments. The love that we have for each other that envelopes those who are around us and includes them in the moment. I still don't know David very well because we live so far apart, but I love him. I love him because she does, and the more I get to know him and his character, the more I like him.

So Amber will be there when I get home, ready to visit and play with the kids. Then tomorrow evening, Ronna and Benjamin will arrive and the house will be full to brimming with the beautiful cacophony of children's laughter and the sound of adult voices remembering when we were the ones playing in the twilight, silently willing the sun to stay in the sky just a little bit longer. (I should run by the dollar store and get some glow necklaces and bracelets for the occasion) This song by Amy Grant always reminded me of my own childhood and family, and now our children are making memories of their own.

If these old walls,
If these old walls could speak
Of the things that they remember well,
Stories and faces dearly held,
A couple in love
Livin’ week to week,
Rooms full of laughter,
If these walls could speak.

If these old halls,
If hallowed halls could talk,
These would have a tale to tell
Of sun goin’ down and dinner bell,
And children playing at hide and seek
From floor to rafter,
If these halls could speak.

They would tell you that I’m sorry
For bein’ cold and blind and weak.
They would tell you that it’s only
That I have a stubborn streak,
If these walls could speak.

If these old fashioned window panes were eyes,
I guess they would have seen it all--
Each little tear and sigh and footfall,
And every dream that we came to seek
Or followed after,
If these walls could speak.

They would tell you that I owe you
More than I could ever pay.
Here’s someone who really loves you;
Don’t ever go away.
That’s what these walls would say.