Coming Home

COMING HOME



Standing on top of the hill overlooking the valley, I never ceased to be amazed by the view. Off in the distance the mountains were still wearing the white caps, of the few remaining signs of the long winter. Down in the glen, in startling contrast, the fruit trees were in full bloom. Wild flowers could be seen like a carpet of color covering the floor of the valley and trailing up the hillside. Shades of yellow, purple, white and red created a kaleidoscope of color. A sense of peacefulness came over me as I realized how far it seemed to be away from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. Only the music of the birds and the rustle of the leaves broke the silence. A warm spring breeze drifted up from the valley floor carrying with it the scent of flowers and new grass. Beneath the budding trees, chipmunks and squirrels scurried about with all the renewed energy that spring brings. The only sign of other human existence was the well-worn footpath that wound its way up the hillside. It curved around rocks and trees as it wended its way to the top of the hill. The path had probably been the way taken by those solace or lovers seeking privacy away from prying eyes. How many romances had begun at the end of the path was the valley’s secret.

I took a blanket from my knapsack and laid it on the ground. Sitting there staring off into the distance, my mind wandered back to a long time age. Visions of a small farmhouse filled my mind. As I gazed out over the valley, I thought I could see that house even though I knew it had long since disappeared. The place where I had grown up was nothing more than a memory trapped in the recesses of my mind. I could remember when the echo of the laughter of children at play found its way to the top of the hillside. Was it just my imagination or could I still hear the sound of those voices?

“Joanna, Have you finished feeding the chickens yet?”

From off in the distance came the reply, “Yes, Grandma.” Then suddenly from around the corner of the barn came running the little girl. Her red hair shone in the morning sun and the pigtails peeked out from underneath her straw hat. With her overalls and plaid shirt, she looked more like a boy than a girl. The sun had brought out the freckles on her face, which held an impish grin.

“Well, if you don’t hurry, you will be late for school.”

The young girl ran over to her grandmother gave her a big hug and jumped up to give her a kiss on the cheek. “Never mind the sugar,” said her grandmother. Her face held a stern look that was only a pretense. Behind that look was a grin that her grandmother found hard to hide.

Grandma Daisy always walked with Joanna down the hill to the school. Joanna had lived with her grandmother since the death of her parents two years earlier. She had always lived in the city and the adjustment to country living had taken some time but she was finally beginning to feel as if this farmhouse was home. Her grandmother was a kind woman who even though she pretended to be firm, Joanna knew that deep inside she was loving and forgiving. The two had been good company for each other in times of grief. Not only had Joanna lost her parents but also Grandpa John had passed away only a few short months ago. He had been ill for a long time but his death had brought back memories for Joanna that she had not been ready to face again so soon.

Joanna went into the house, grabbed her jacket and joined Grandma who had already started down the road toward the school. She stopped now and then to see if her granddaughter was coming. Joanna could be very unpredictable at times and would stop to check on anything that caught her fancy. Sometimes her grandmother wondered where Joanna’s mind was. It always seemed to be racing at top speed and it was hard to hold her attention on anyone things. The only thing that seemed to hold any fascination for Joanna was the stray animals she was always bringing home, a baby raccoon, a bird with a broken wing, etc. Grandma Daisy was always afraid that someday she would get herself hurt but she could not deter Joanna from her pursuit of animals.

For Joanna, the years passed very slowly. She was so anxious to go out into the world and exert her independence. In spite of her grandmother’s warnings, Joanna had decided to go to veterinary college. Perhaps then Grandma Daisy would see that animals were not at all dangerous. For her grandmother, the years passed much too quickly. She had seen her granddaughter grow from a gangly youngster into a beautiful, confident young lady who still held her head in that cocky manner. It was with mixed emotions that she took Joanna to the bus station the day she left for college. In some ways, she wanted to let her go, but in other ways; she had great concerns that Joanna was not ready for this. But just like the baby birds Joanna had tended, she had to let her try her wings.

“Joanna, are you ready to go.” The voice broke the silence and was accompanied by the touch of a hand on her shoulder and gentle shaking. Again the voice repeated, “Are you ready to leave now?” I came awake slowly and realized that I had dozed off in the heat of the afternoon sun.

“Yes, Mark, I am ready to go now. But don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t go home again. As long as you have your memories, Home is in your mind.”


Marilyn Burgess, 1998