A Quiet Celebration

Thursday was our 55th wedding anniversary.  That is a long time.  That reflects so many ranges of emotions and life.  The early years were our building years.  Within three or four months of getting married in the summer of 1967, we purchased a 1.8-acre lot in a development 'way out in the country'.  We worked together to save money as well as pay off the property.  Living room, dining room, and bedroom furniture were purchased in 1968 when we moved into an unfurnished apartment.

By the spring of 1969 the house was being built.  We chronicled the process by having Hubby stand next to the fireplace area.  I would stand at the kitchen window. Not only did the house grow, but Hubby and I seemed to have added to our girth. 

Work progressed through the summer and we moved in the first week of September 1969.  The nearest house at that time was about 1/4 mile away.  As the years went by additional homes were built on the next-door lots.  Through the years we would drive by our first home when we were in the area visiting my folks.

February 1970, just a bit of snow.

Chuck and Billie's home with our house on the left of the photo

Over the six years we lived in that home, we hosted family gatherings, youth group functions, baby showers, brunches, and one family camped in the back yard.  One member of the family that camped with us visited Sis #1 the last week of June.  Sis #2 and I make the trek to visit with Patty.  Patty was around 6 when she visited for the only time.  Sis #4 arranged for us to once again drive to the area so Patty could see if the place was like she remembered.

The first thing I saw was Chuck and Billie's home had been torn down and a new home was being built.  The empty lot that they used for their two horses had a home on it that appeared to be occupied. 

House on an previously empty lot of Chuck and Billie's

The empty hay field across the country lane was having homes built on it.  Our home was still there as well as the Lawson's to the north.

We are pretty sure that we would not be able to afford the taxes on our old home if we still lived there.  Taxes are horribly high in Texas.  Regardless, here is our home that is now 53 years old.  Even though we have not lived there since 1975, we will think of it as our home.

Cousin Patty said the house was familiar.  She remembered flowerbeds as they were during their visit.  Those beds have been long gone.  

It is good to see that there were several other homes still standing.  A few had been remodeled to add features including our home.  Garages converted to living space.  A new wing had been added to a couple of the others as well as outbuildings.

Life moves forward.  We had our dreams.  Folks dream bigger now.  The new homes are four and five times larger in square feet.  As we age we find we can do just fine with less and less.  But every now and then I remember all the joy we had living on Route 2, Mckinney TX.

Y'all take care out there.  My FAB family has had two more cases of covid.  It's still out there.

Peace and love