Savannah and Sean were growing quickly. We were outgrowing the apartment so we bought a house that was yet to be built. We found out about the government program in a roundabout way - through a friend of a friend. The contractor's daughter lived in Chatom. It's a small world after all. As a qualifying family it cost us $1.00 to move in to our newly built home. We barely qualified. Long story short, the house was built and we were finally in a spacious house. My husband was reluctant but in the end he felt like it was the right decision.
It turned out that we had no business buying a house. I pushed for it because I couldn't see past the $1.00 price tag! Nevertheless, the house was wonderful because of the space. I loved the open living room with tray ceilings - my kitchen was modest but roomy enough to move around. We had to buy a refrigerator, though, as well as a lawnmower, a tisket, a tasket, and a green and yellow basket. We had never been in debt before but thought for sure we had a handle on it. We Discovered all right!
Savannah was in first grade at Wilson Elementary and Sean was still at Houston Elementary. Sean rode the bus to school so I stirred him first, very early. We sat in the recliner and rocked. It was a special time for us. It was a time for us to let the silence do the talking. Everyone else was asleep as the sun was rising.
Wee Hours
When I hold you to wake you at 6:00 A.M.,
Inhale your exhale,
Watch lashes brush
Sunlight over night -
It is I who am awakened.
Copyright 2000 - Peggy Putnam Owen
During those brief moments we had together while waiting on the bus, Sean and I connected like never before. We sat outside and sang songs. We cuddled and loved on one another. All we needed was a little peace and quiet. Who knew?
Peggy, can I share this poem with a friend of mine who just had a new baby? She works with Easter Seal and I think she would enjoy it. Great post by the way. Very enlightening. Wish I knew about the $1.00 house!
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to buy a house. Never had one of my own.
Yes you can, share this poem. I know of who you speak of through another friend of mine who knows her. Please share it, I love it - I wrote it in my head one morning. He was still sleeping. I'll never forget it.
ReplyDeleteThe $1.00 house was a program originally designed for farmers. I thought it was a freakish thing that we heard about it from a person who lived in the small town we moved from in Alabama. I haven't had my own house since then. And you know what? I can make any house a home and I bet you can too. I'm not sure I want to become a homeowner. If the stars line up then maybe. If not, so be it!