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Epiphany on the Porch

July 6, 2012 By Sandra Heska King

 

I’ve taken to the porch this morning with a cup of coffee and my camera.

It’s supposed to be over 100 today, and I can feel the humidity rising. But there’s a breeze, and it’s comfortable.

I love this porch. I don’t think I could ever live anywhere again without one.

We added this porch when we moved in. The house used to have a porch, but my in-laws removed it when they moved the house to this site and never added it back on.

Stories swirl in and around this house.

I move from west side to south side, just looking, watching, thinking, snapping photos. I sit in rocker and then swing.

And, maybe for the first time, I see deep. I see that everything I see has a story.

Not just the man that drives past, but the tractor he’s riding on.

Not just the people in the house across the road, but the house itself.

Each tree, from a seed to a seedling to a towering shelter.

Each bird, from an egg to flight to a song.

Each flower.

Each piece of wood on this porch hammered in place by the Amish men who built it.

Everything has a story.

Each color and each sound.

Everything can be traced back to story upon story.

To the beginning of the story.

 

 

 

Joining Lisa Jo today for her Five Minute prompt on story.

Five Minute Friday

And sharing a Graceful Summer with Michelle.

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Filed Under: stories and reflections, writing

Comments

  1. Joell says

    July 6, 2012 at 2:32 pm

    These words are lovely, true and deep. And the photos are beautiful. The one of the gentleman on the tractor called to mind my late father-in-law. Beautiful.

    • Sandra says

      July 9, 2012 at 1:47 pm

      I don’t know this man or his story. But I think it’s cool how people, places, smells connect us to our memories. Somehow that connects us to each other.

  2. Allie says

    July 6, 2012 at 3:17 pm

    Visiting from Gypsy Mama. Thank you for taking a moment to slow down and remember. I love your pictures and your gentle thoughts.

    • Sandra says

      July 9, 2012 at 1:48 pm

      So nice to see you today, Allie. Thanks for dropping my and for your gentle words.

  3. Pam says

    July 6, 2012 at 6:59 pm

    Came here from Shelly Miller’s… Lovely thoughts expressed here. Enjoyed your interviews with Gracie, too. 🙂

    • Sandra says

      July 9, 2012 at 1:49 pm

      That Grace–she’s growing older and wiser every day. Thanks for coming by, Pam.

  4. Megan Willome says

    July 6, 2012 at 6:59 pm

    I love porches, too! My front one has a swing, and my back one has a picnic table that serves as my desk. One catches the north breeze and one catches the south. I’ve got to be prepared!

    • Sandra says

      July 9, 2012 at 1:50 pm

      I’d love to come porch sit with you, Megan.

  5. Martha Orlando says

    July 6, 2012 at 7:49 pm

    There are no end to stories . . . and, what would I do without my deck in the forest?
    Beautiful reflection and photos, dear Sandy.
    Blessings!

    • Sandra says

      July 9, 2012 at 1:55 pm

      You have a deck in the forest? Way cool. Thank you so much, Martha.

  6. SimplyDarlene says

    July 6, 2012 at 8:59 pm

    Oh, we don’t have a porch, but we do have lots o’ woods, mountains, and a couple of grande, super-up, reclining lawn chairs.

    I reckon your porch is a good spot for thinking and UNthingking too.

    Blessings.

    • Sandra says

      July 9, 2012 at 1:56 pm

      The only think better would be a recliner in the mountains! I’m learning to UNthink. 🙂

  7. S. Etole says

    July 6, 2012 at 11:39 pm

    There’s such hospitality in your porch. The perfect meeting place for whatever the Lord has in store for your day and your story.

    • Sandra says

      July 9, 2012 at 1:57 pm

      It’s especially nice this summer. No rain does mean a decrease in mosquitoes. 🙂

  8. Gayle says

    July 7, 2012 at 12:32 am

    I couldn’t make it without my porch either. I have an old home with a front porch. I love to take a novel and a glass of ice tea and stretch out and read on a Sunday afternoon.

    • Sandra says

      July 9, 2012 at 2:15 pm

      That’s sounds lovely. I’m thinking about a hammock now…

  9. Carol J. Garvin says

    July 7, 2012 at 12:45 am

    None of our homes have had front porches. In fact, I can’t recall my parents’ or grandparents’ homes having them either. But we’ve had many back decks. I suppose there isn’t the same sentimentality about decks, but I do love sitting out on ours.

    I love your discovery that everything has a meaning… a story that is significant to someone. I love your photos, too, especially the swing’s chain, and the light on those leaves. Holy light. 🙂

    • Sandra says

      July 9, 2012 at 2:18 pm

      My grandparents had a porch. It seemed huge when I was a kid. But when I went to look for the house, there was nothing left but a field. I’m thinking it’s only big in my memory.

      I like decks. I’m not crazy about thinking about bears on them, though. Or on a porch. 😉

  10. Wendy @ ECTaS! says

    July 7, 2012 at 2:11 am

    Gorgeous photos and love what you shared! So true and beautifully written.

    • Sandra says

      July 9, 2012 at 2:18 pm

      🙂

  11. ~ Patricia says

    July 7, 2012 at 6:40 am

    I’d love to sit on your porch with you, Sandra.

    • Sandra says

      July 9, 2012 at 2:19 pm

      I’d love that, too, friend.

  12. Tori McRae says

    July 7, 2012 at 7:36 am

    Your post prompted a thought. I’ve always wondered about this person or that when I’m out and about. “Where are they going? What are they doing? Who are they.” I frequently vocalize these thoughts to my husband and get the response, “I don’t know. What does it matter?”

    I see now that it has probably always the writer in me unknowingly looking for a story.

    Thanks for the post and beautiful pictures. What camera do you use.
    Tori

    • Sandra says

      July 9, 2012 at 2:20 pm

      It’s a writer thing, I think. I used to think that about cars and planes and trains when I was young.

      I have a Canon SX30.

  13. Ellen Grace Olinger says

    July 7, 2012 at 7:43 am

    Dear Sandra, So lovely! Blessings for a pleasant day, Ellen

    • Sandra says

      July 9, 2012 at 2:20 pm

      Thank you so much, Ellen.

  14. Adela says

    July 7, 2012 at 8:54 am

    Great pictures to go with beautiful thoughts.

    • Sandra says

      July 9, 2012 at 2:21 pm

      Thanks, Adela.

  15. Michelle DeRusha says

    July 7, 2012 at 9:01 am

    Wow, look at all those pictures, all without leaving your front porch. I love it! And I love this, too: Everything has a story. How right you are.

    • Sandra says

      July 9, 2012 at 3:05 pm

      Interestingly, we had a lot of people stop to see if we were interested in selling after we added the porch.

      I think I knew this about everything having a story, but the truth never sealed itself until now.

  16. Susan Wachtel says

    July 7, 2012 at 2:06 pm

    Thank you for sharing the beautiful sights you see from your porch and the reminder that everyone and everything we encounter has a story. Beautifully written.

    In Christ…Susan

    • Sandra says

      July 9, 2012 at 3:06 pm

      Thank you, Susan.

  17. Jennifer Richardson says

    July 8, 2012 at 11:56 am

    amazingly beautiful
    …love to you
    and your story:)
    -Jennifer

    • Sandra says

      July 9, 2012 at 3:07 pm

      I love thinking about how we’re all part of one big crazy story.

  18. Monica Sharman says

    July 8, 2012 at 6:02 pm

    Love that photo of the chain especially.

    We have no porch for the house, but I’m considering how to make sure I have a porch for my soul, a welcoming place, a place to sit on the swing and talk and notice, as you notice.

    • Sandra says

      July 9, 2012 at 3:08 pm

      Oh, I love that–the idea of having a porch for my soul. Thank you for that, Monica.

      And I’m so glad you’re back in your home!

  19. journeytoepiphany says

    July 9, 2012 at 9:06 am

    I have had that epiphany…I love HIStory!

    • Sandra says

      July 9, 2012 at 3:15 pm

      Me. Too.

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