This is the chair that I can remember my Grandma rocking me in as a little girl. It now sits in my living room.

Grandpa has moved out of his house and is now living in a retirement home.

I am very happy that he is happy where he is and no longer has the burden of a house to take care of.

But, the thought of that house no longer being Grandma and Grandpa’s house is just…sad.

When I left that house in November of 2010 after our last ever family Thanksgiving gathering in that house, little did I know that would be the last time I would ever step foot in “Grandma and Grandpa’s house”.

My dad took a three-day trip in July to go help his dad with some things and to get the chair.

I chose not to go.

When I wrote this, I was trying to decide if I wanted to go there one last time knowing it was my very last time.

When I learned that things were already getting packed up and looking “empty” I decided not to go.

I want to remember that house as my Grandma and Grandpa’s house. I don’t want my last memories being of an empty shell. I want to still picture every single piece of furniture in its place and every single picture on the wall – just like Grandma and Grandpa had it.

All this serves as a reminder to me just how temporary this life is. That season of my life is gone – forever.

But life moves on.

And now, it is time to build memories in Grandpa’s new house!

Ironically enough, the renters who moved into the house just a few weeks ago have three boys – just like my Grandma and Grandpa had! They said this house is an answer to prayer for them.

I wonder if they have any idea just how special the house they are living in is…

If those walls could speak they would tell the story of a family who was built on their faith in Jesus Christ. Who loved each other and loved the people God brought into their lives. A family who gathered there for holidays. Cousins who ran and played together for hours. And a little girl who loved nothing more than going to Grandma and Grandpa’s house.

I’ll cherish those memories until the day I die.

  The picture of my grandparents that always hung over the mantel.

- Elaine