Poor Old Friend

A few weeks ago, I was driving down a road that I had never driven down before and I did a double take when I saw this sitting in somebody’s front yard. I had to turn around to make sure I saw correctly. My heart sank when I saw a familiar  “face” looking back at me. He was rusty and neglected looking, and it broke my heart.

When I got home, I immediately sent the photo to both my sisters. I knew they would understand. I asked my older sister if she had pictures of the wood-burning stove we grew up with.  I was happy when she sent the following pictures.

I have such fond memories of warming myself by this old friend during my growing up years. I slept in a room that used to be the attic. While it was insulated, it had no heat run and used to get quite chilly. Sometimes I would run downstairs on a frosty morning and dress for the day in front of this old stove. After an afternoon of ice-skating, sledding, or simply romping in the snow, I would come into the house with frozen toes and fingers. I remember leaving my snow covered boots, hat, scarf and mittens...and even my skates on occasion, on its hearth to defrost. I would lay on the rug in front of it, stretch out my feet and rest my frozen toes on my friend's "chin." He never minded.

I wish I had a picture of our dachshund. I could almost always count on finding her roasting herself in the heat of the old stove...sometimes splayed out on her back...basking in the warmth. 

So when I saw one of my old friend's cousins...just sitting out in a front yard, exposed to the elements of time and weather, I couldn't help but feel some sadness. I'm also glad to say that my older sister, my niece, and my niece's husband and baby all live in the house where my old friend still resides. He's still safe and loved.