A ghost? No, but tiny little reminders exist in and outside my house that Donna’s family left behind.
A tiny oyster charm and a silver serving spoon found in the front yard. Was Donna missing the charm? Did her kids give it to her? Did a friend lose the silver salad spoon while tipsily walking back to their house? Our neighborhood is no stranger to pot lucks, dinners, and house-crawls. I wonder what it was like over the years.
I know I won’t ever know. Her kids sold this place in a rush and they left no forwarding details. Were they so ready to get rid of mom? My friends who live in the neighborhood made their way to the estate sale (which is how they found out that this house was about to be on the market) and found all sorts of Donna treasures. My house has a prolific collection of cat figurines and decor. My favorite part of Donna? Her square dancing costumes. Colorful and full of fringe, it explains why I have a sponge painted pink and purple wall, as well as all the living areas (including the ceiling) painted lavender.
A plastic reminder to check for breast cancer hangs from our guest bathroom. I wonder how that became? Proactive, or reactive?
I’m thinking about removing the flowers on the sunny side of our house to make room for my salsa garden, but I keep thinking whether or not it is disrespectful to Donna. I am going to go ahead and do it though – flowers just aren’t “me”.
But this house continues to give us insight into a story that isn’t ours in a home that is now mine. I like to think our “ghost” will continue to surprise us for some time. Donna, how will we get to know you next?