Memories of an old porch swing
An old porch swing has a unique charm, providing an abundance of
relaxing, down-home country atmosphere regardless of where one
happens to live. Some of my fondest memories revolve around the
old, worn swing that used to adorn the front porch of my
childhood home.
I vividly remember my mom sitting in that old porch swing as
twilight settled in, carefully watching over us kids as we
scampered around the yard chasing "lighting bugs" and listening
to our own squeals of delight several times as they echoed back
and forth between the hills and down the "holler".
With eight kids to feed (and often a friend or two), she would
usually be breaking beans, shelling peas, shucking corn, or
preparing some other vegetables that she had picked from the
garden earlier in the day. And of course she would be humming
one of her favorite old hymns.
I also remember how my dad would sit in that same old swing on a
lazy Sunday afternoon, enjoying the cool breeze while strumming
his guitar and singing a country or gospel tune. He could play
with the best of them, but only for his and our personal
enjoyment, not money, even though he easily could have.
And I'll never forget those hot, muggy summer nights when it was
simply too uncomfortable to stay inside. Even after so many
years have come and gone, I can still recall sitting in that old
swing, listening to the country sounds of the bullfrogs from the
nearby creek joining in an evening chorus with the crickets and
whippoorwills.
Mom's abundant love, a cold slice of juicy watermelon, and that
old porch swing were the foundation upon which my favorite
memories were built.
I've often heard it said that the best part of life still lies
ahead, and I believe it's true, but the memories of my boyhood
and how it revolved around that squeaky old porch swing will
remain with me always!