House Full of Love

There's nothing like the feeling of a house filled with family - and love

Often it looks chaotic and messy - but it's really a wonderful feeling that persists long after people have gone home and things have been put away.

November 1954 at my grandparents' home

Grandpa looks tuckered out. He often didn't say much at family gatherings. As I got older I realized that he was quietly enjoying having everyone together. On the right Susan is wearing a wig for some reason. She is working the Ohio jigsaw puzzle that's still in the family. If you look in the  bookcase to the left of the globe you'll see one of the copper Lusterware pieces that Grandma collected. When you went on a trip with her and Grandpa you could count on stopping at many antique shops to look for more pieces. Not sure if that's Uncle Dick or Uncle David with Tom. The TV was in the cabinet to the left of Tom. In the days before fancy remote controls, Grandpa ran a wire from the couch, under the carpet to the TV and had a switch so he could turn off the sound on the TV without having to get up from the couch.

December 1955 at home of my father's parents in Ohio

Grandpa, Connie, David, Julia, Grandma & Dick

By the window there was a window seat that 

opened up to reveal a storage space for toys

December 1953 at home of my mother's parents in Illinois

Gram, Jan, Mom, Idah Browne (Gram's mother), Tom & Susan. Poppie is reflected in the mirror 

June 2012 at the house we rented for a family reunion

At the end of the day, I loved seeing all the shoes by the front door and thinking about the family and love those shoes represented. 

A house full of family & love

What a blessing