I have a front porch kind of family. Some people view porches as decorations only, but not us. Our porch is seen as an additional room to be used whenever possible. When most people glance at my front porch all they see is the peeling railings, old rocking chairs, a wooden bench that seems a bit out of place, and probably a cat or two. A scene they most likely would not view as beautiful. In my eyes, though, that porch is the prettiest one in the county. Those old, worn rocking chairs might be looking a bit rough, but they are still one of the best places to sit. I often feel most at peace while rocking in one of them, listening to the gentle thump of chair against concrete, and the songs of birds filling the air. It is here that friends and family gather, children play, homework is done, and simply sitting and relaxing takes place. My front porch is a safe haven where many of my life scenes have taken place.
From there, I have a view of the birdbath, a metal structure that serves as the centerpiece in a flower garden. A statue depicting a young girl holding an umbrella stands tall, surrounded by water, in the center of the basin. The garden she overlooks is not large in size, but is still home to man plants and ornaments. When in bloom, irises fill the bed with purple, and their vibrant leaves add greenery to the garden for the majority of the year. Various lawn decorations are nestled among the plants, adding their charm to the surroundings. Figurines of birds and fairies peek out from behind leaves, and solar lights twinkle and glow in the night. Not far from the birdbath hangs a hummingbird feeder, and with food comes war. I love watching the tiny creatures zoom to and fro with a buzzing of wings, valiantly defending their food from opponents. Stretched behind the yard is a forest of trees, swaying in a wind that carries the perfume of life with it. This perfume, a medley of grass, flowers, hay, and earth, floats up to the porch, whispering an invitation to stop and smell the breeze.
Conversation and laughter replace the sounds of nature when the porch is filled with occupants. The cats vacate their spots on or under the bench, disturbed by the racket of humans. As the adults rock and talk, children play, often squirming their past seated adults in order to reach the porch railings. These black metal railings, lining the perimeter of the porch, are perfect for climbing, as every child who sees them knows. Two generations have clambered up and swung on the bars, rubbing the paint off and smoothing many places.
I guess the word 'worn' would best describe the physical appearance of the front porch, and rightly so. It is worn from the years of life it has seen, and that is why I believe it to be the best front porch around. The paint isn't shiny, the chairs and bench aren't brand new, and it's not perfectly decorated, but I don't think those things really matter. Instead of all that, it holds memories of mine and my family's lives, and that is what makes it beautiful and secure.
