Uncle Richard’s House
I only know him as Uncle Richard, the man who used to bring the delicious smoked turkeys to our Thanksgiving dinner. Actually, he’s my brother-in-law’s uncle. I’ve only met him a couple of times, but I recently got to know him much better when I visited his 100year-old house located in a small Missouri town. It’s the kind of place that was once surely known for something but has now been all but abandoned. Surrounded by rural farms, there is little that remains, yet Uncle Richard’s house has somehow stood the test of time. It was not simply by chance that I happened to be there on a cold New Year’s Day. Uncle Richard, now in his 80s, had suffered a heart attack and moved to a place where he could be closer to family and doctors. We drove over to collect some things that might make his new surroundings more comfortable. As I walked through the house and saw his possessions, I glimpsed the Richard who once lived there -- a lover of books, nature, antiques, hats, and family heirlooms. Their roots in the town date back decades, and I sensed that the house had seen much over the years. There is a real cedar closet where clothes were protected from pesky moths. An old furnace in the small, dark basement once belched with life to keep many a soul warm. It was all charming, and a little sad at the same time, since I’m told Uncle Richard did not want to leave the house where he had lived his entire life. After packing up the car with his belongings and mementos, we needed a little outing, so we decided to detour to a nearby lake that doubles as a sanctuary for rescued eagles. As the sun was setting, it was too late to see any eagles flying free. But there were two now enclosed for their inability to live in their natural habitat. They seemed content with their surroundings, and as I admired them, I wondered how Uncle Richard will do in his new home. Will he be able to successfully make the transition? Will he be like those eagles, still majestic in life? Only time will tell, but if he’s anything like his house, Uncle Richard will be around for many years to come. And I will always remember the taste of the turkeys that he brought every year to our Thanksgiving table.
Sarah Rivera is a freelance writer who lives in Atlanta, Georgia. She relies heavily on chocolate and a sense of humor.