I could feel the smell of blossoms
As I drove down the winding road
The trees were blocking the view
that I wanted to see, yet
the flood of memories haunted
because this was a road
I'd never traveled before - alone that is.

What was truly missing
were the sounds of my parent's
anticipation to be re-united
with family and friends,
But I knew and realized that soon
I would be in the all-too-familiar arms
Of having to say good-bye again
Just as they did.

The old piano still stood in the corner
As it had for so long now.
There were pictures
male and female, young and old
As I gazed through them all
I could see a semblance
Of love and affection
Penetrate from the eyes.

The room was quiet
As I had entered without a welcome
But felt it anyway
The air in the room embraced me
with sounds from my past. Yes,
I had been down this road before
But this time was different

Family is a place to enjoy
The kinship and likeness
That others might impart
And I knew that this was why I was here
My dad had insisted on us
Intruding upon these same ones
Several years prior
And am I glad he did!
For the first time in my adult life
I had this overwhelming feeling of familiarity
As I sat and played softly
Upon those rickety ole keys.

I wondered where all of our family
Must have fit in this tiny little place.
There was never less that eight of us
And five of them. Wow,
I don't remember that
Anyone cared about that - back then.

As beauty is in the eye of the beholder
So were my memories, I guess
I can't seem to explain them
The same way I remember.
But as I stepped into the
Past and present
I wasn't quite sure of the role to play,
The youth of yesterday
Or the woman of today?
But as time would have it
I had co choice in the matter
But to respond as they needed me to be
My father's daughter
My mother's daughter
And that was good enough
For all of us

They spoke of years I had not known
And days too great for me
They spoke of times beyond compare
As if they were to be desired,
Yet, I knew better!
The changes that we all had made
Were not to be discussed, besides
That didn't seem to bring the joy
Like the tales of grampa--cousins
And, Uncle "Bud"
But, the solace that I found was real
The peace was sweet & sound.
Inside I knew it was also for them
Somewhere in the past
That really brought importance
To today!

But now, I am okay with it all
It was a time, never to be forgotten
Or minimized
The treasure in my heart will endure
Throughout my eternal memory...
And I hope in theirs...