Dear Fifty-Four Fifteen

Dear fifty-four fifteen,

You are the first house I actually remember moving into, when I was six years old.

We have had some good times together. Some of the best years of my childhood were spent in your front yard on summer evenings.

Some people say It’s just a house, that you shouldn’t have an emotional attachment to it. Well I do.

Because this is where I helped my dad put in the yard, and pour the concrete curbing. Learning how to do work.

Because this house is where I learned to ride a bike. Where I learned to play the violin and piano. And where my first Christmas light show ever lit up the night. It is where I have done the things I am known for.

I have seen many people come and go on this street. We were the 3^rd people to move in, fourteen years ago. And only a handful of people are originals that are still here.

The neighborhoods have all gone down around you. But I always made sure our space looked good.

I do hope that your new owners will decorate you come Holiday time. To see this house with no Christmas lights would be devastating. Trust me, I will come check. And I will come tell the new people they need something. Even if I have to help them myself.

I have had some amazing nights here. Sitting out back, watching the sky late at night.

Or visiting with friends out front.

A lot has happened here. So many memories were made. So much has come and gone.

Forever the brick flowerbed in the backyard will be Whiskers’, who passed a few months ago.

I’m seriously going to miss this place. But I believe everything is ment to be. And everything has a time.

Dear Fifty-Four Fifteen.

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I know they say you cant 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.

And up those stairs, in that little back bedroom

is where I did my homework and I learned to play guitar.

And 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 its 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 years.

From 'Better Homes and Garden' magazines.

Plans were drawn, concrete poured,

and 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 its 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, you move on and you do the best you can.

I got lost in this whole 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 its like I'm someone else,

I thought that maybe I could find myself.

If I could walk around I swear I'll leave.

Won't take nothing but a memory

from the house that built me.

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Dear Fifty-Four Fifteen :)