As Dan walked nearer the top of the track he wondered whether he should turn around and go back his heart was thumping loudly, it sounded like a beating drum, he was almost breathless now. If the house wasn't there he would be devastated he thought to himself and how would he have the courage to go back and tell his father it wasn't there anymore.

The old house had been surrounded by lovely green rolling hills that looked like velvet in the soft afternoon light. They had an orange orchard at the side of the house and a little flowing river at the bottom of the hill at the back of the house.

Many a hot summer afternoon had been spent splashing around in the cool clear water and swinging from the rope that their father had tied onto a big old tree for them. The boys were always jumping off it trying to bomb each other. They also had a red canoe and would float off down the river until they reached the bridge where they would leave it. Their father would pick it up when he came by later and would bring it to the house for them. Their mother used to worry a bit but realized that the boys needed a little bit of independence and responsibility. She always hoped that they would do the right thing and keep out of trouble and danger.

Dan, his older brother Peter and sister Jenny had spent a very happy childhood there.

Such memories filled his mind as he slowly walked onwards.

How life had changed Dan thought. Peter, his brother had gone to Africa to fulfil his lifetime dream of becoming a Wildlife Game Park keeper. As a young boy Peter was always watching Wildlife documentaries and collected pictures of animals out of the newspapers and magazines. His room was always full of wild animal pictures hanging from the wall.

Jenny was the youngest and was the only one married at present. Jenny used to work for the local newspaper as a reporter and photographer. She found it extremely hard to take when she finally had to give it all up due to pregnancy. In fact Jenny was quite cross for awhile until Eric her son was born and she realized motherhood was wonderful and also very rewarding.

Their mother had died five years earlier and it had taken until now for all of them to come to terms with it. She was only fifty two and had a massive heart attack while out shopping. Didn't mothers live forever? That's what Dan used to think when he was a little boy. She was always there, especially in times of trouble. They used to call her the peacemaker as she hated fighting and arguments. Their father had been heartbroken when it happened and didn't care whether he lived or died for awhile as it was too painful for him. He had trouble coping with just the everyday things of life as they used to go everywhere together and now he went nowhere at all.

Finally Jenny talked him into coming to live with her family. John, her husband had suggested it as they always got along really well. Both the men loved fishing and would go off together early some mornings together to see who could bring home the most fish for tea. Little Eric thought it was a great idea his grandfather coming to live with them as he loved his grandfather very much.

Finally after much persuasion their father had regretfully sold the house but realised he could no longer live in it alone. It constantly reminded him of his beautiful beloved wife too much. There were too many wonderful memories there and now he had no-one to share them with. Jack felt very blessed having such wonderful children and they constantly amazed him with there thoughtfulness, care and love. He could not have asked for a better son-in-law in John either.

How he loved his little grandson he felt as if he were one of his own children. Eric had also inherited his Grandfathers and fathers love for fishing and they would go off together the three of them on a fishing trip occasionally. They would take a few sandwiches, drink and some fruit to eat when they got hungry. Most of the time Eric chatted while his grandfather just sat there listening to him. Jack couldn't get over how smart Eric was and thought that he should do very well at school.

As Dan walked nearer the top of the track he wondered whether he should turn around and go back His heart was thumping loudly, it sounded like a set of drums, he was almost breathless now. If the house wasn't there he would be devested he thought to himself and how would he have the courage to tell his father it wasn't there anymore.

Jenny had wanted to come with her brother that day but had an appointment to go to the local school as it was Eric's orientation day. Eric was almost turning five and would be starting school the following year. Most of the parents who were not working were going to the school that day to find out what uniforms and books they would have to buy for their children. They would also meet the Principal of the School and some of the teachers.

Finally Dan reached the top and hesitated for a moment. Almost too afraid to take another step Dan stopped walking and closed his eyes.

Dan slowly opened his eyes and gazed down to where he thought the old house might have been. Suddenly he felt as though his heart had stopped for a brief second.

It was still there, sitting proudly on the soft velvety green hill. How magnificent it looked, and restored as well! There were the big wide verandas all around, giving it shade in the summer and shelter in the rain and cold. When they were little children they would ride their bikes and scooters around the veranda making a terrible noise in the process. Then their mother would come running out of the house to tell them to keep the noise down. Dan even loved the colour the new owners had painted it.

The small orchard was still there and the trees were heavy laden with oranges, almost ready for picking. That bought back a lot of memories. Peter and Dan used to have orange fights in that orchard when they were supposed to be picking them. Not that their parents ever found out, they would sit there and eat the offending oranges instead so that their father would not find them lying on the ground.

Dan let out a sigh of relief to see that the house was still there and tears welled up in his eyes. "Mum, I love you and I miss you, we all do," he whispered out aloud and he began to cry. Dan was rather pleased that no-one else was there as he was easily embarrassed when he showed his emotions openly like that.

As Dan's eyes quickly flashed around to take in the splendid view they suddenly focused on some movement in the river. He could just make out some little children splashing around in the river. Every now and then he could hear the squeals of delight coming from the children as they swung off the rope that was tied to the big old tree.

Yes, have fun little children and be happy as we were and the memories will stay with you forever.


By
Sandy