Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Corner View Ohio "Place of Reflection"


My front porch swing is my place of reflection. So much reflection has happened on this swing. My Great Aunt gave me the swing 15 years ago when I was working on my Masters at Mary Baldwin College in Virginia. I spent many evenings on this swing in Virginia pondering my future and wondering where life was going to take me.
After graduating, the swing moved with me back to Ohio and was in storage for a couple years when I lived in a tiny house without a porch; I really missed the swing! I was so happy the day it came out of storage when my husband and I could put it up on the porch of our first house that we bought together. We would swing together on this swing when the focus was just on us as a couple, we spent times joking and worrying that the swing would fall from the porch ceiling; it never did.


I have read novels of great literature on this swing, during a time I could read until the sun came down and didn't have to worry about mouths to feed or babes to bathe. I swung through a miscarriage on this swing, when I didn't think I had any more tears to cry. I swung through 2 strong healthy pregnancies on this swing, when the swing made me so dizzy that my head would spin just looking at it! Then Fauna came along and she loved the challenge of getting onto the swing when she was just a little toddler. Then Araina, who was a little afraid of the swing, but eventually got brave enough to tackle it. The three of us have spent many early evenings swinging and watching for Daddy to come home from work after missing him all day.


Today, the swing is used for reading mostly, the girls read on it all the time. I find it hard to find the time to sit on the swing myself, but when I do I just sit and "be." I admire my geraniums on the porch and the flowers growing in the garden, and once again, I find myself pondering and wondering where life is going to take us.


Visit jane, our lovely host, and more reflections from around the world:
jane, ladybug-zen, ian, bonnie, esti, sophie, cele, modsquad,caitlin, joyce, ani, kim, a day that is dessert, natsumi, epe, kaylovesvintage, trinsch, c.t., jeannette, outi, schanett, ritva, francesca, state of bliss, jennifer, dana, denise, cabrizette, bohemia girl, dianna, isabelle, amber, a girl in the yellow shoes, mister e, janis, kari, jgy, skymring, elizabeth, audrey, allison, lise, cate, mon, victoria, crescent moon, erin, otli, amy, ida, caroline, lisa, dorte, kimmie, la lune dans le ciel, nicola, malo, vanessa, britta, virgina, april, b, kyndale samantha, karen, kristina, dorit, goldensunfamily, sophie, janet, mcgillicutty, desiree, di, travelingmama, aimee, sunnymama, amanda, ali, jenell, guusje, britta, juanita, pamela, inna, daan, myrtille, cris, ibb, susi, jodi, lily, gillian,
jeanette, athena, pienduzz, latisha, clairette, satsuki

32 comments:

;) said...

The swing of wisdom... Beautifuld text !! and pictures ! with sweet (and sonor ?) details... Thanks !

caitlin said...

I just teared up as I read your beautiful words Lisa. Thank you for such a touching post.

malo said...

I loved the story of your swing. I have been searching for a porch swing but they are impossible to find in Sweden. To me there can't be no better place for thoughts and reflection. I also love to sit watching my garden. Thank you for this great post.

Daan said...

Such a beautiful post and your words toched me.
Youre little ones have beautiful names.

happy times on the swing for you!

dongdong said...

That's beautiful, lisa! I really enjoyed reading.

Anonymous said...

What a lovely spot. And the swing's history is so rich!

Joyce said...

beautiful shots of your swing. we had one growing up on our porch. I loved it. Enjoy! xoxo

Anonymous said...

A swing ! I dream of it ! oh, I'm a little jealous !!! ; ) Have a nice week !

Erin said...

Our porch swing is my favorite thing about our new house..(Although, it doesn't seem like the sturdiest thing in the world.)Thank you for sharing so many wonderful memories. :)

therese said...

lovely corner view, lisa :)

Mona said...

What a story - the rhythm of life and the rhythm of the swing. Wonderfully written :)

Juana said...

Lisa...how touching...and how much wisdom in your words. Happy swinging!

gardenmama said...

I enjoyed reading the history your swing has seen, You have written this so beautifully Lisa!

Palmer and Co said...

Oh, Lisa that is beautiful! So touching! Thank you for sharing. How fun to see where the swing will go next...

Happy Swinging!

Ma life à moi said...

You told us a very moving story, thank you for these words and long life to the swing!

Bonnie said...

i love your swing too !! one day i would love a porch swing too !!

Anonymous said...

Someday...I'll have a swing and a porch to hange it from. I love the pictures so much! And a great story too:)

Leanne said...

So lovely Lisa!

Crescent Moon said...

I have always wanted a porch swing. If I am able to get one someday, I hope it over looks flowers as pretty as yours.

Tara said...

The gentle movement of a swing always serves to relax and quiet my mind.

I know you will be lead in the best direction possible as you contemplate the future ~ on your swing :0)

Elizabeth said...

What a lovely post -- the memories of a swing. I hope you have many more years on it!

Erin said...

I love this post. Its so beautiful! There is nothing so comforting and sweet as a front porch swing.

Jodi said...

Love - that's the best part of your post. the pics are great too but I love having something for so long and through so many turns. cheers!

Unknown said...

What a marvelous story of the swing! Loving you swing and wanting one too. With tons of cushions though...

(p.s, you can remove me from the link list)

sarah in the woods said...

I love porch swings!

renee @ FIMBY said...

I love your reflection spot. I would just love a porch swing and all the memories it would hold.

Alicia said...

My Grandma has a porch swing like this at her house. Everytime I visit I sit on it to think. I remember swinging there when I was up for my Grandfather's funeral. He shot himself, and even though it was the dead of winter, and in the north, I swung anyway. Better in the porch in the freezing cold then in the house with the family! lol

We're hoping to move soon, and one of my requirements is a place for a porch swing!

Wonderful, wonderful post!

dawn klinge said...

I loved reading this post. That swing has been through a lot with you.

Jenell said...

Lisa, this is beautiful...there's some symbolism swaying there....

Lisa said...

Thank you all so much for the lovely comments.

Alicia, I'm so sorry about your Grandfather. Thank you for sharing this with me.

Lisa :)

Nicola said...

the swing (well, your post, really) even had me close to tears. beautiful!
nicola
http://whichname.blogspot.com

Dim Sum, Bagels, and Crawfish said...

Beautiful post and swing. We have a porch swing that has traveled around the world with us...getting ready to take it to Italy right now...something so good about a porch swing. Also, couldn't help commenting once I saw your reference to MBC. I was also there fifteen years ago. Actually my fifteen year reunion is coming up. Haven't been back since graduation but hoping to return this year. I miss those Blue Ridge Mountains.