Storytelling Thursdays
The 4Generation House (Part One)
My computer files are filled with the stories I have written. Some are true, some are not. Some made it into books, some did not. Some are still in my head waiting to be written. Hopefully, having a story in your inbox on Thursdays will brighten your weeks as winter trudges toward spring. I will also recommend some books I have loved!
The 4Generation House (2011-2013)
This story (shared over the next few weeks) was part of a manuscript written before I began my therapy journey in 2014. It was never published but sections were included in two chapters of A Brave Life: Survival, Resilience, Faith and Hope after Childhood Trauma. Many of our most treasured—and stressful—memories occurred during those three years. I am grateful that I paused to collect the stories.
Multigenerational Living
Our home included three generations until my dad, living alone since my mother’s death, came to visit us in Colorado Springs. I asked the family, “What would one more add to this? Do we want my dad to come live with us?”
We all said yes. However, saying yes and accomplishing yes were two different things. I am not sure why contractors build houses with all the bedrooms on the second floor, but we lived in one like that. Going up and down stairs at age ninety-six wouldn’t work. We needed to move.
Sharing a house with multiple generations was nothing new to us; moving wasn’t either. In fact, we were on move number five since coming to Colorado Springs.
Moving Day
We found a great big house with lots and lots of rooms.
Along the way, we discovered it is not easy for multiple families to rent a single house. No amount of clarifying our circumstances, the four incomes, or the number of degreed individuals caused the agencies to waver from their “one family only” policy. Finally, a family who found it necessary to leave their dream home understood we weren’t a risk!
A phone call came just as we finished loading the truck. My dad had become ill and was admitted to the hospital in Sacramento. At his age (96), this was very serious. We had planned, packed, sold, negotiated, and prayed to make this happen, and now we weren’t sure we still had a reason. And so, I collapsed in a heap on the curb in front of a stranger’s house and cried out my frustration and concern. With that meltdown over, we continued to move into the great big house we might not need. But after a stay in the hospital and a family-wide logistical planning session, one brother packed our father’s belongings in a trailer and pulled it across country, while the other brother arranged a plane flight to transport our elderly father to his new home. Mission accomplished.
On one of the final drives to the house, my daughter and her children arrived with a duckling. I said no; take a picture and find it a home. It was that simple. I felt bad for the little duck who lost its family while crossing the road. This wasn’t the happy ending Robert McCloskey wrote in Make Way for Ducklings. But a duck added to the household felt like one pet too many.
So, for only one night, we were four generations, a duck, and a very old cat who thought the duck looked tasty. I am sure, though, that the duck lived a peaceful life on the local veterinarian’s farm.
And thus we began our adventure.
To Be Continued
(Reprinted from A Brave Life: Survival, Resilience, Faith and Hope after Childhood Trauma)
Have you read The Napping House?
The Napping House written by Audrey Wood and illustrated by Don Wood is one of my favorite children’s picture books. It is much like the 4Generation House when everyone would be calmly enjoying the day or evening and our lives would suddenly erupt into chaos.
Looking forward to hearing more!