We purchased our Amish porch swings for the look and style, and yes partly for the nostalgia of what seem to be more innocent days. What we didn't realize is that we now gather as a family on our front porch because of those swings. The comfort of the wooden porch swings was the first surprise. Yet we soon found that our lives were richer because we were now more accessible to our neighbors.
Because we loved the feel of the swings we would congregate as family out front instead of hibernating out back. The neighbors ended up engaging with us more. At first it was subtle. That subtle exchange turned into a shared glass of iced tea which slowly turned into a friendship. The look the wooden porch swings give to our home is fantastic. But finally making friends with the people we have lived so close to for the last 5 years is also fantastic.
It's really changed the quality of our time at home because we have a stronger sense of community with those we share the street with. We've come to learn about them, understand them, and respect them. It was really amazing that adding something like an Amish porch swing or two could do so much just by being there.
Now, when we are interested in a bit of social time, all we have to do is head to the front porch. The are a great excuse for the shyer neighbors to venture up on our porch so they can "try them ou wooden porch swings t." Our life is fuller, and we have many more interesting stories to hear as the fireflies light the night or the breeze cools us. It's really like we moved into a whole new neighborhood just because we suddenly became front porch accessible. We still have the great Amish wood furniture out back if we want a more private evening, but usually we choose to head for the porch in the evening and discover what has happened in the lives that live next to us that day.
No comments:
Post a Comment