Nothing says, “Welcome” like a green, paint-worn front porch swing
or the warmth of a whipped-cream topped cup of hot, steaming cocoa
or a door swung open and arms pulling you into a hug.
“Smell my camillas,” says Mama.
“Coffee’s ready,” said Papaw.
Grandmother sitting, waiting on the front porch swing
Aunt Joyce pulling her eggplant parmessan out of the fridge
Welcome
Sit long, talk much
or just sit
together
quiet’s fine
when the words catch their breath
Welcome
to my mess
cluttered counter tops
4 happy feet and a cold nose invading
everyone’s space
watch out for the soccer cleats
laundry trying to fold itself
and boys hungry
for food and attention
Come on in, pull up a stool
let’s talk about
big and little things
little and big
swiss apple tea and honey
in a love-you to-the-moon cup
hearts ready for friendsip
always
welcome
I love this…felt like you painted a picture and I could see myself partaking of all these wonderful blessings alongside of you!
Thank you, Liz! No matter what’s going on in life – whether it’s the good, the bad and the ugly – God has opportunities for sweetness and grace in our daily steps! So glad you enjoyed them, too!
Oh this is just lovely. And as I embark on welcoming more people into my home this blesses me in many ways. Fun and lovely. Happy Friday.
Hope you had so much fun, grace and blessing overflowing in your home, Beth! Shalom to your week!
Love your poem. Makes me wish I could join you for that swiss apple tea on your paint-worn front porch swing 🙂
Beautiful!
I wish that photo was of my own front porch. My grandmother had a green swing on her porch – and I loved sitting there with her and when I was little, roller skating around the swing. The photo I took was of an abandoned house that was recently torn down. I wish I’d know it was going to be torn down – I so wanted that swing:) I felt it had been filled with a lifetime and love and needed to be filled again.
Very nice Maryleigh 🙂 I feel the warmth in those words. I raise my tea cup to you!
Ah, I’m ready to come swing on the porch with you! That’s my kind of household to visit–one that doesn’t scream “don’t touch me!” but welcomes me in :).
Welcome into my mess. LOL aren’t we all there? Behind the closet doors, in the laundry room, right in the living room – but we are women who say welcome. Enjoyed this very much. Thanks!
I always feel welcome when I visit you Maryleigh. And apparently, 90% of you really need that hot cocoa! Here in south Florida we can still drink cold things. So if you need to warm up, come on down! 🙂
Yes, the soccer cleats! Oh how I trip over them often. But I wouldn’t want it any other way. Such a refreshing, uplifting post. Love the home you’re blessed with. Warms my heart. Bless you!!
Ah reading your list made me feel welcome. Coffee is ready!
Blessings and love,
Debbie
Hello, I did enjoy this post and geeky or not we girls just have to write! Home must always say welcome, even in times of busy and crazy!
Home is what keeps us stable and God uses the Home to inspire and Train us!
Blessings and may you and your family be blessed and prosper in spirit, soul and body…
Blessings, Roxy
I don’t consider myself geeky – but I think people who don’t like writing or reading do! LOL Yes – home is so much better when it’s not conditional on its appearance – and yes! yes! – it keeps us stable! Your comment so blessed me! Shalom Roxy!
Oh, yes! A wonderful old porch swing and a cup of tea! How lovely! Move over! 😉
One of the things I miss most, Lynn, is my grandmother’s front porch. One day, when you’re on Main Street in Middletown, stop by Moss Hills and sit on the porch swing. That’s my grandmother’s house! Maybe when I’m in town, I’ll bring the tea – and we’ll meet there!
I love old houses with porch swings and the sound of genuine wooden screen doors, not those aluminum ones that hsssss but don’t make that great **smack** sound. You know the one, it goes, “Don’t let the screen door… slam. Sigh.” Another fine post you’ve gotten me into, Maryleigh!!