I remember
All the homes in which I have lived
Since childhood – three until I was married,
Twelve apartments and/or houses in twenty-six
Years of marriage and
Three since divorce –
Until 2008,
When I bought another home of my own,
The Antelope Valley, Quartz Hill.
While bricks and walls and plants and trees
Of necessity have been left behind,
I have been moving our memories
Throughout my lifespan,
Photo Albums, boxes of letters,
Crocheted pillow cases made by my grandmother
My grandmother’s cookie cutters and a potato
Masher that my Uncle made for my grandmother,
And my grandmother’s serrated bread knife,
Blue glass that belonged to my sister;
A recipe box that belonged to my mother,
All of these things represent memories
That have been traveling with me
When ever it was necessary to pack up
And find another house in which to live.
I may leave behind walls and bricks,
But moving our memories is as important
As furniture and clothing
And the bigWedgewood stove
That has been my inspiration for many
Pots of stew or jars of jam;
The painting of my grandmother
Above the fireplace
Hung in the dining room of my last home;
It will go where ever I go—
Along with photo albums
And books and recipe boxes
And cookie jars.
Now I can look around and say
“This is home. I brought my
Memories with me.
Sandra Lee Smith/2009
