Playing House

As far back as I can remember I have loved playing house. As a little girl...my best friend, Maryand I, got our dollies (mine was a Betsy Wetsy doll) and their blankets, bottles etc. together and played house. It was during the war and toys were scarce. We didn't have doll carriages...just an old rusty red wagon to pull them around in. We would throw a blanket over a big box and that would be our house.

After graduating from high school....I married my high school sweet heart... and was married for over 40 yrs. I had real babies to play with now, a home to take care of, and a good husband. It was the grownup version of playing house. It was all I ever wanted. Part of this came to an end, when my husband died of cancer. Nothing was the same. This was real life and I was on my own for the first time in my life. Some of my friends said, "You will get used to it. It's really not so bad....you can travel, you don't have to cook any more, no one to pick up after, you can have the tv to yourself, decorate the way you want. I would listen to them and think...this isn't wnat I wanted. I loved making a home with someone. Even just waking up in the morning and having someone say, "Good morning." I went to a movie with a girl friend one late, fall, afternoon. We left each other and I drove home. I lived in a very small town and I knew everyone. As I came into town... my friend, Bonnie, was in her kitchen preparing dinner. The lights were on and I could see her husband sitting at the table....probably talking about their days. The lights were on in all the kitchens as I passed. I got to my house and found that I hadn't left a light on. It was dark. Maggie the cocker was there to greet me. As I went in, I said to Maggie...out loud..."This isn't how we want to live...do we Maggie?' So as time went on... I married Joe. His wife had passed away about the same time as my husband. We had lots in common. We were introduced by mutual friends. The rest is history. Last night we mowed the lawn. We always have a glass of ice water sitting on the park bench. It was early evening...neighbors were walking by, little kids on bikes, our neighbor on the corner had band practice...we could hear the drum beating, and our neighbors next door were home from vacation. Joe had sweat on his forehead and so did I. We shared the glass of ice water and were tired. I am playing house again and it's where I want to be. Today is our 5th wedding anniversary. Balisha
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