I remember
waking up early on Saturday mornings
watching cartoons and building forts with you out of cushions
we’d eat cereal
while Mom and Dad slept.

 I remember
stray animals following you home from school
anything and everyone loving you
your impish grin; how that kept you out of trouble
you still charm people to this day.

 I remember
your zest for life and your passion for fun
playing outside with your friends, riding bikes
how you’d stay out till the streetlights came on
how I’d call your name to come home.

 I remember
sleepless nights filled with tension
where we’d talk through our connecting bedroom wall
a secret language we had through knocking
as Mom and Dad argued.

 I remember
when you and Harry set the field on fire
and me telling on you
Mom lit a whole pack of matches in your face
a lesson was learned.

 I remember
weekends spent in wildwood, the salty sea air
playing monopoly and war well past our bedtime
going to the beach all day and the boardwalk at night
fun times were had with family.

 I remember
how a piece of you also died that fateful night
at sixteen, a momma’s boy you were
Little Boy Blue became Little Boy Lost
would you, could you survive?

 I remember
feeling scared to death when you joined the army
so young you were at nineteen
would you come home alive
you’re my hero.

 I remember
hearing the death sentence of your incurable illness
have we really come this far only to lose you once again
you gave up, then chose life at death’s door
you wanted to live again.

 I remember
listening to the laughter
of our children as they play together
as we sit and recall the good times
a family’s love lasts forever.

 I remember
starting out protecting you
but somehow, someway
the tides have changed
for it is I who now look to you for comfort and advice.

 I remember everything…
the good,
the bad,
but most of all, the LOVE!

 

The House That Built Me
written by: Tom Douglas / Allen Shamblin

I know they say you can’t go home again
I just had to come back one last time
Ma’am I know you don’t know me from Adam
But these handprints on the front steps are mine

Up those stairs in that little back bedroom
Is where I did my homework and I learned to play guitar
I bet you didn’t know under that live oak
My favorite dog is buried in the yard

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it
This brokenness inside me might start healing
Out here it’s like I’m someone else
I thought that maybe I could find myself
If I could just come in I swear I’ll leave
Won’t take nothing but a memory
From the house that built me

Mama cut out pictures of houses for you
From Better Homes and Gardens magazine
Plans were drawn and concrete poured
Nail by nail and board by board
Daddy gave life to mama’s dream

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it
This brokenness inside me might start healing
Out here it’s like I’m someone else
I thought that maybe I could find myself
If I could just come in I swear I’ll leave
Won’t take nothing but a memory
From the house that built me

You leave home and you move on and you do the best you can
I got lost in this old world and forgot who I am

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it
This brokenness inside me might start healing
Out here it’s like I’m someone else
I thought that maybe I could find myself
If I could just come in I swear I’ll leave
Won’t take nothing but a memory
From the house that built me

Walking back in time.
I am the house that built me :) #twitterive
Going home again
The house I grew up in in Voorhees. Suddenly I feel so small.#twitterive   http://twitpic.com/2rj4g6