The Room

The aroma of fresh baked banana bread tickles the nose when the door is opened, immediately giving the visitor a feeling of "coming home." The curtains are open, bathing the room in sunlight and cheer.

An overstuffed chair, covered in a rose floral print, invites one to sit down. The bookcase, within reach of the chair offers a variety of choices, from Shakespeare to Steinbeck; Freud to Bombeck; math textbooks and health encyclopedias. The bottom shelf is flattered to hold such titles are Hop on Pop, Green Eggs and Ham, The Apple Vendor, and Grimm's Fairy Tales, as well as dozens of other books for the "little ones," all of which are obviously well read. The table beside the chair holds a pair of wire-rimmed glasses, and a Bible, whose corners have become dog-eared over the ages. Hand made doilies cover all the tables and shelves, offering beauty as well as protection to the furniture.

An upright piano, with the music for "Count Your Blessings" sits open, inviting anyone who wants, to test their musical talent. Years of frequent polishing makes the wood glisten in the sunlight.

A cherubic face peeks at you from the top of the piano, smiling with that impish grin that only a three-year-old can get away with. Her face is just one of many in the assorted picture frames who look out over the room. An old black and white photo of a young serviceman, proudly wearing his dress uniform, sits prominently in the center. The same young man is a smiling groom in another one. Children, adults, families fill the other frames. The same blonde hair and blue eyes, the upturn of the nose, and the crooked smile reveal a family resemblance.

A china hutch holds a collection of hand painted plates, knick-knacks, figurines and a small, lopsided bowl, with "Bobby - 1963" etched into the clay in childish letters. Fresh cut flowers from the garden sit on the dining room table, adding their magnificent fragrance and colors of the room. Rose colored cloth napkins sit in their freshly polished silver napkin rings, waiting for the next meal. In the corner, the tea-cart sits with its floral teapot and matching creamer, sugar bowl, cups and saucers. A basket of assorted cookies and crackers waits for "tea time."

Clear glass candy bowls shout at visitors, begging one to "sneak" a sweet. Hershey's kisses, peppermint and butterscotch candies, and M & M's all have their own containers, within reach of anyone old enough to eat them.

The empty room sings, "Welcome, everyone, I am so glad you came." Love shines in the woodwork, the sunshine, and the aroma of flowers . . .  and baking.