Grandma and Grandpa Cook's Home

Dad has completed his next painting. I believe this might be my favorite so far because it is a painting of my Grandma & Grandpa Cook's home. I spent many many hours playing at this house on hot summer days and very cold winter days. That bench that sits on the front porch was always there in my memory. When you entered the front door you were in the front room where a large dinning room table was in the middle of the room with soft comfortable chairs around the the wall. There was a coal stove also in that room where we use to place our wet gloves and boots after a sled ride from one end of Ceder Valley down to the low side. We could ride our sleds down the road for about 5 blocks. I use to walk from the back of the house through a field to go to Sharon's (Bell) house. Sharon and I were the same age so I loved playing with her every time I went to Grandma's house. After entering the front door of the home there was a bedroom door on the left going in to my Grandmother's bedroom. The main windows on the left are their bedroom windows. It was always freezing in that room but I loved going in there with grandma. Several years ago I wrote a poem about this house so I am going to post it.

A little bit of heaven

in this old house was found,

for all were greeted warmly

it's clear that love abound.

I have so many memories

as I walked between those walls,

the smell, the feel, the laughter

all these I do recall.

For grandma she was always there

her image my mind has etched.

With apron on she whistled

as she baked, washed dishes, fetched.

Grandpa a story he could tell

cracked walnuts and danced a jig

he often talked of politics

to me he seemed so big.

Inside these walls flood memories

baked cookies, fresh bread, bottled meat.

A frontroom toasty, warmed with coals

these precious memories oh so sweet.

The bedroom cold to save the heat.

The deer hung on the wall.

These things are all but memories

that I do now recall.

As a child I felt important

each time I looked to see

my picture hung upon the wall

on a branch of the "Big Family Tree".

Yes, a little bit of heaven

in this old house was found

and even though the house is gone

it's earth is Holy Ground.

Arlene Heiner 1997