Thursday, October 20, 2011

Once upon a time

This may look like a big pile of rubble to you. But, to us it's history. . . it's our past. It times Margaret, our mother and I shared with our dad. 


Our father was a visionary. He was able to see beauty and opportunity in everything. . .  Even a big pile of bricks.


Once upon a time, many years ago, there was a old abandon mill that fell down. There was no hope for this big pile of devastation ~ until one day our father drove by and saw art laying in the rubble. He saw hand made bricks that could be used again. If only he had someone to pick them up, clean them off, and  get them to a new home. 


Never really seeing a problem, our father knew he could always count on the woman in his life to figure out these minor details.  So, one Sunday afternoon, after Mass, our father convinced our mother and two of his little girls to go out for a Sunday drive to see a mill that fell down.  It just so happened that the owner of this mill didn't mind if . . .someone picked up the bricks and cleaned up the area just a little bit.  


And that someone you see just happened to be. . . me, my mother and sister. . .that's three. 


So Margaret, our mother and I set to work with our father by our side. We piled, cleaned and scraped bricks. Two little girls, a devoted wife and the visionary moved, one by one, well over 10,000 bricks to a new home in the country.  




Through out the years the bricks were used many times. 


Once there was a devastating fire in our childhood home. The bricks were used to rebuild, remodel and repair to make the house "better then ever".  There were so many bricks not all of them could be used at that time . . . So they waited. . . until at long last. . . the visionaries son used them on his own home many, many years later. 


NOT 
the END


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Favorite Photo Friday

21 comments:

  1. I remember seeing these bricks!

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  2. You Dad was a brick himself---that is an Irish term that my Dad used to say to my Mother---"Margaret you are a Brick".That means she was strong and reliable and you could always count on that brick supporting you---no matter what. Your dad was also a Brick!
    Auntie

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  3. What a great post, fascinating creativity, thanks for sharing.

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  4. Beautiful - absolutely beautiful. The pictures and the story that's not ended and won't for a long time!

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  5. I enjoyed your post! The old bricks are so much better than new bricks.

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  6. Visiting from "This or That"....what an incredibly interesting story you've told. I'm moved. Beautiful.

    Kathy

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  7. What a great post! History with them will live on!

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  8. Wow what a neat story! I can't wait to hear what was done with the bricks next :) (I hope you share, since you said NOT the end!)

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  9. What a beautiful tribute. Sounds like in working together he taught many life lessons. You are blessed to call him father.

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  10. Wonderful story - what a sweet memory!

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  11. Her Dad was the first of the recyclers and did he ever recycle those bricks?

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  12. I have been so wimpy lately and miss him terribly! BUT this story brought great comfort. Plus I remember being right in your line of fire and getting hit in the head with a brick or two! (That always brings a good giggle even today!) :)

    You know when Reiner and I went on the Laurens Hospice Bike Ride with Suzy & Walt - did I tell you about riding past that place? Think I may have told Mom or Bill. It was really something, very surreal.

    Now you'll have to tell your readers about the BEAM!! :)

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  13. Good Post! You dad certain was a visionary.

    Have a Wonderful Week :-)

    *The Old Geezer Blog

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  14. What a great story Lisa! How neat to be able to use bricks that have such a history. They are beautiful bricks! Thanks so much for sharing!

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  15. A beautiful way to reuse these bricks, and such wonderful family memories.

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  16. That was a wonderful story. Thank you for sharing it.

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  17. What an interesting story. Can't wait to read more.

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  18. Love hearing a little more of the story, Lisa! It's a tribute to your family, telling your story.

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  19. This post was a true treasure, thanks for sharing it with us all.

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Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. I will do my best to visit you back!

Have a great day!