Short Stories

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We got to the house at 6AM. I peeked through the window as my husband, Dwight, searched his keyring for the key to get in. I was relieved to see the house looked basically empty. There was not a stick of furniture as far as I could see. I was also happy to see that it looked like they left the place in good order. After turning the key in the lock, Dwight turned and signalled the moving crew to start unloading the trucks. I picked up my Spider Plant I had left on the ground and carried it inside to the kitchen. I wondered what it would feel like a year from now living in our first new home. My table was brought in and boxes placed on top of it marked "KITCHEN". I started unloading the boxes' contents into my cupboards. Soon all of my kettles had been settled into their new home as well as my appliances and dishes. Picking up a box of food supplies, I opened the pantry door and started arranging everything on the shelves. That was when I noticed it.... a large heavy book on the back of the bottom shelf. I pulled it out, curious. It looked like a well-used scrapbook. Placing the scrapbook on the counter, I continued sorting through my flour, sugar and spices soon forgetting about it in the activity.
That evening as I was putting the finishing touches on the living room, Dwight walked in from the kitchen, carrying the large book, "Hey, Heather, what's this?"
I glanced at the book he was carrying, "Oh, it's just a scrapbook I found in the cupboard. The old owner must have accidently left it here. We'll have to make sure they get it." I continued arranging my knick-knacks on the shelf as Dwight flopped down on the sofa and opened the book.
After a few minutes Dwight looked up at me, "Heather, I think this was left here on purpose."
"What?" I looked up questioningly. "What are you talking about?"
"Come and look at this," Dwight held up the book. Grateful for a break, I slid onto the sofa next to him. On the pages were pictures around the house and various people. "Here," Dwight turned back to the first page, "Let's start at the beginning."
At first glance the first page just looked like some title page but, as I read the inscription, my curiousity grew. "Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young— a place near your altar, O LORD Almighty, my King and my God. Psalm 84:3. " I looked at Dwight, questioning.
He pointed at the next tag, "My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest. Isaiah 32:18" He pointed to another tag next to a picture of praying hands, "This looks like a prayer. " He read, "Father, may this be a household of Faith for all who choose to make this their home. Bless the families who reside inside these walls."
We turned the page to view old pictures with various tags. The first picture was a black and white wedding picture. The tag next to it said, "1937. After a lovely wedding we settled into our new home." Displayed under that was a photo of the same couple with two children standing in front of their home and under that another picture with three more children added. There was also pictures of the house in the middle of winter with the snow piled all around.
Turning the page we spotted a new family with several pictures...and after that pages of smiling families and various pictures of the house in different seasons. We could see where the house had changed over the years. Tears were forming inmy eyes as I realized that this scrapbook was not left here by accident. It was a gift of love, memorialized by all the families who had once called this home. About three quarters of the way through I came to blank pages. Through my tears, I smiled up at Dwight, "I guess this is where we are to start."
Dwight smiled, "We'll have to ask someone to take a picture of us tomorrow in front of the house." I took the book carefully from his hands and placed it gently on the shelf.
Eleven years later we were preparing to move into a larger home. Most of our furniture had been moved out and I was sitting in the middle of an empty living room floor scrambling to finish a project. Dwight poked his head in the doorway, "Hey, I have the last box packed. Are you soon done?"
"Almost," I smiled.
Dwight walked in carrying eighteen month old, Emily. Following him were our four year old son, Jordan and eight year old, Bethany. Jordan pointed at the picture I had just pasted in. "That's the picture Grams took yesterday, isn't it?"
I nodded, fingering myhand lovingly over the page.
Bethany knelt down beside me, "Are you leaving this for the new family?"
"Yes," I replied through fresh tears, "I thought we would continue this house's tradition."
Dwight put Emily on the floor, "Why don't we all pray for the new family that they will find a blessing in this house as we have?" Joining hands around the scrapbook, we prayed for the new family that they would find much joy and happiness in this house. Then the children left to find their places in the van. I grasped the scrapbook close to my heart one more time, tears streaming down my face. I placed it on the center of the living room floor and walked over to take Dwight's hand at the door. He wrapped his arms around me for a minute and we relished the moment. Then we closed the door and journeyed to a new day.
D.L.Deck

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