We just call it 600.
It was 1959 when Interstate Life transferred Leonard from Cookeville to Murfreesboro, Tennessee. After staying at the Old James K. Polk Hotel for a week while looking for a house, we saw a sign board, right across the front door of 600 that said, “For Rent”. We looked at it and visited with the owners, Baxter and Frances Hobgood, that night. The Hobgoods fell in love with our precious children, and rented the house to us for $75.00 a month.
The house was near a good grammar school, the square where we both worked and was only five blocks from church. During the years we were living there, we offered, from time to time, to buy the house; but Mrs. Hobgood would not sell, even when she went into a nursing home. We lived here 40 years before she agreed to sell us her childhood home.
We had lots and lots of our children's friends here and many slumber parties. One slumber party found 100 boys and girls here until midnight and 65 girls spending the night, bedded down in sleeping bags all over the house.
There were chandeliers in every room and we lost several globes during yo-yo season when the children were in there early teens.
Our family has increased from 6 to 57 in the past 53 years since we came to 600. Family gathering have filled the house with joy and love each holiday during all of those years.
The painters have just given 600 a new facelift. They did a marvelous job, it looks ready for another half century of fellowship. Our home will always be remembered as the childhood home to my children rather than the quaint little five room house where we lived when they were all born, or in Cookeville where we spent two fun years.
This is a rather big house for one little old lady, but I have a good alarm system, and feel very safe here with my memories. I am pictured above waving to Merry as she heads home after a few days visit. I feel so lucky to be able to stay here for this long and I am indeed fortunate to have three awesome children who love me and make sure I have everything I need.
Yes, again I say, thank God for the wonderful gift.
3 comments:
I would say the house at 600 North Church Street is getting close to 100 years old and she is a gracious old gal indeed!
I can smell the coffee in the early morning hours, hear the ticking of the clocks and feel the water go cold when someone turns on the tap in the kitchen while you are taking a bath. I know where the creaks in the floors are, how to find room to hang up my clothes on the back of the massive bedroom doors because there are no closets. I also know the sound of loud chatter as the family gathers round the kitchen to pray before intering the line for delicious homemade meals. Fish tank, movies and IL Divio watching, reminiscing with boxes of old photographs around the kitchen table and forever working together to improve the house, the season or someone’s life.
How many almost 65 year old women can still come home to the house she grew up in, sleep in her old bedroom and visit long hours with her spry, beautiful Mama.
You have made this house a home and it is quite fitting for you to stand in her doorway and blow kisses of goodbye at those reluctant to leave.
Merry
Can't see too well, but does anyone see anything wrong in the third window in the pix of side of the house?
Yes, yes, yes, I have been reminiscing tonight, what fun. Thanks Merry.
Dear Nana,
This is a great post ^__^ your house is so sweet and i can feel love in every conner.
saw those pictures make me miss it there. i am happy and felt special every time i visit you.
Love you much,
Felly
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