Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Dumbfounded (02/20/25)
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TITLE: The Front Porch | Previous Challenge Entry
By Pamela Freeman
02/25/25 -
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There is something special about the front porch. Perhaps the nostalgia comes from growing up watching shows like "The Andy Griffith Show" and "The Waltons." Instead of being cuddled up in a blanket on a comfy couch and watching TV, families would sit outside, looking at the stars, playing music, singing together, or simply talking. A blanket wrapped around their shoulders for warmth. Oh, how I long for the days when people gathered on the front porch.
During my visit to the Loveland, Colorado area, I observed the empty front porches of the charming homes. These porches appeared to be perfect spots for enjoying coffee, chatting, and greeting neighbors as they passed by. Each home exuded a delightful antique charm. Oh, how I long for the days when people gathered on the front porch.
I felt dumbfounded as I traveled the beautiful scenic Highways to California. Into the cities and rural areas. No one on the front porch. I never had a front porch growing up. Could not having a front porch create a stronger awareness of the empty porches? Dreaming of having one and sitting outside listening to music and waving at neighbors exemplifies the simple life. Yearning for the days of sitting outside, reading a Bible, and inviting others to randomly join. Oh, how I long for the days when people gathered on the front porch.
The times we live in are filled with fear and isolation, largely due to the news and the stories of trauma we encounter daily. It is easy to recognize that sitting on the porch can feel vulnerable. Instead of feeling dumbfounded, a more appropriate response may be, “I get it.” People often decorate their front porches with a sense of nostalgia but prefer to observe life from the safety of their homes, peering through closed doors and windows. Oh, how I long for the days when people gathered on the front porch.
Yesterday, while driving down my street, I saw my next-door neighbor sitting on his front porch, talking with another man. Instantly, I felt a sense of hope as I smiled and waved at them. There is hope for those who are isolated, for those who look through their windows instead of stepping out the front door. There is hope for the world we live in today. There is hope for relationships that extend beyond mere greetings at church, for peaceful moments, and for quality time with friends. Oh, there is hope for the people gathering on the front porch.
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