Katie Bieker

When my house was built, a long time ago, a different little girl walked on these floors.  That little girl wore long dresses and black boots with a row of buttons.  She had a bonnet that she wore outside, and I have a baseball cap.

When my house was built, people in the North were fighting people in the South.  The little girl who lived here back then might have been scared.  The little girl’s Father might have been gone for a long time, fighting with other men.

When my house was new, the kitchen was warm and cheery, just like it is now.  The first family to use our kitchen made stew on the stove and so does my mom.  Many times, this kitchen has smelled like onions and many little girls got teary eyes and sniffy noses.

The first little girl to get too wild in this house sometimes shut the doors too hard and ran too fast.  Sometimes, that little girl had to sit on a chair in the corner, hiding a few angry tears.  Once in a while, I break the rules and have to sit in that corner, too.

My house has stained glass in the window high over the steps.  Even long ago, clouds turned purple, green, and then red as they floated past those colorful panes.  In 1863, a little girl sat on these steps embroidering and would stop every few minutes to look out the window.  I look up there too while I sit here playing my video games.

When it rained, a little girl long ago sat on the front porch just like I do.  She liked to drink warm tea while she sat and would pretend to give some to her doll.  Today I am in the front yard under the tree, getting my pants dusty.  The little girl from way back then also sat in this spot getting her dress all dirty.

I have a little brother who pulls my hair and tattles.  Brother and sisters have been mad and troublesome in this house for a very long time.  The little girl who lived here before me had a best friend who came to visit, just like my friend who comes over to play every Wednesday. 

There are many books in my house and always have been.  I would rather read those books than do my homework.  In our parlor there is a TV, but 150 years ago, there was a wooden desk.  The little girl from long ago had to sit at that desk studying, even though she didn’t want to either.

My bedroom used to belong to that little girl and she had a bed with quilts like mine.  Her mom would sing to her at night and she too had sweet dreams on a soft pillow.  There were tears and laughs in this bedroom and other little girls who felt cozy and safe.

My house has always had holidays, secrets, scraped knees and muddy pets.  My house has had years of burnt dinners, board games, pillow fights and music.  Many families have made memories under this old roof. 

Lots of things were different 150 years ago, but feelings were the same.  My house is very special because it has been filled with love for a very long time.

This text is intended to be a picture book for children.  Feedback is appreciated.  © Katie Bieker, 2013.