Nona's Childhood Home

Not all things that metamorphosis change for the better, some times they just change.

This is my grandmother's childhood home.

We call her Nona (an Italian take on the name grandma).

I found this photo a few weeks ago while going through a box of her old pictures.

She was one of 12 children to be raised in this hillside home in the mining town of Vittondale, PA.

I've been told that my Great Grandma kept a nice garden in the front lawn.

Nona's told me a few stories about her doll that was left in the yard and was ruined in the rain.

I have seen old photos of my dad playing in the yard as a small boy, of my great Aunts all dressed up and of my Great Grandparents standing in front of the home.

Many, many years ago the home was sold out of the family.

Today, this is what it looks like.

It has been added onto..
It has been re-sided...

Porches have been lost to make room for indoor bathrooms...

Whole windows are gone as well as the chimmy stack from the middle of the home..

A trampoline has replace the beautiful garden...

It has metamorphosed into something else, someone else's home filled with someone else's dreams, children and shelter.

Today Nona turns 85.

My Nona has had a series of two strokes over the past year, this last one leaving her unable to survive without constant help. My mother and father(her son) have made the brave and exhausting choice to have her live with them, in fact both of my grandma's live with them. Nona, needs help to get out of bed, get to the wheel chair, go to the bathroom, bathe, dress, and eat. She has lost her ability to speak free thoughts... she can no longer answer my questions

What color was the trim on your home?

Which window was your bedroom window?

Who did you share a room with?

Did anyone live in the third floor?

What did you keep in the cellar?

How many times a day did you have to walk up and down the mountain to town?

I have the great privilege of helping to care for Nona several days a week. I treasure the times I spend with her. I treasure each time I rub her paper thin legs, arm, and feet with lotion. Two weeks ago I cried when she was able to verbalize the following

"Dee Dee, I don't see too good" when I brought her out for breakfast without her glasses! For it was the first and only time since her last stroke that she called me by name!

I am blessed beyond belief to have both of my grandmas still with me.

But much like the old home, they too have changed.

Fortunately, unlike the old home, they will always remain in the family!

Happy Birthday Nona!

I love you.... Dee Dee

(this is a picture of Nona and my beautiful mom)

A special thankyou to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch!

Head on over there for inspiring ideas.