Four wooden rocking chairs placed in a semi-circle on the front porch of the row home. That was all it took to communicate a welcoming invitation. What would otherwise have been just a shelter from the elements was transformed to an intimate gathering place by those oak rockers.
I could picture four close friends sharing a bottle a wine and childhood memories. I could imagine laughter as embarrassing moments were relived and tears as lost loved ones were remembered.
There would be hands waving on that porch - greetings offered to recognized passers-by and perhaps even an invitation to join the gang.
In all of this it occurred to me how little it takes to change any house from a mere structure to a welcoming home. A hand-knitted afghan draped casually across the back of a couch, a framed sampler hanging in a prominent location on a wall, a vase of flowers in the center of a table, or rocking chairs on a porch - all of these things say someone is glad to live here.
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