He pulls up into our long dusty drive! He’s in an old beaten up, rusty hooded truck! It’s a vintage green color and it just feels right at home in this little ole country town.
We stop what we’re doing as we quizzically watch this unexpected fellow approach to meet us. We quietly wonder, “who is this tall, slim stranger?” There’s no doubt, he’s a true Texan cowboy, it’s in his stride and manner. He’s wearing the trademark gear from head to toe! Cowboy hat, a blue jean button up shirt, Levi’s and well worn leather boots. His face is etched with character and kindness. So we are at ease as he introduces himself.
He’s the grandson of the man who built our house! He’s always wanted to see inside and although he has lived in this town for all of his 80 years, the opportunity to walk through this piece of his family history has never occurred. So, we are thrilled to invite him to come in!
As Albert walks from room to room, the looks on his face are simply indescribable. His hands reach out to touch the bare wood that his grandfather once nailed into place. His eyes drink in every finely preserved detail. He’s seeing his grandfather’s craftsmanship for the very first time and it’s our honor to be the ones to show it to him.
I show him the old original kitchen cabinets with the bespoke features of his grandfather’s time period. I point out the original wavy glassed windows. He takes it all in.
I ask, “is there anything else you’d like to see?” He responds, “my grandfather drilled wells. I believe, he drilled the one that was originally here. Can I see the place where it was and where the old windmill once stood beside it?” He leads me to the place that’s just outside the kitchen windows. Disappointingly, this piece of history has been covered over with the changes of time so there’s no visible evidence of it remaining but this exciting new information will live on in my heart. In fact, I believe I’ll even put my own windmill just there in that spot!
As we chat a bit more with Albert he shares some further history about his grandfather. We learn that our house was actually the 2nd that he’d built in the community. The 1st house is now long gone. Albert reveals that our house was built around 1903! This was an exciting revelation because we thought it was built later in 1909.
As Albert starts to go, he stops to mention how his wife would like to see inside the house one day. I tell him that they are welcome to stop by anytime and I decided right then and there, when the house is finished, that they will be amongst our very first dinner guests!
Albert’s grandfather, who built our house, is the gentleman in the picture above.
The house as it looked just after it was built! It had two chimneys and an upper porch originally.
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Wonderful blog! I love the story of Albert. His discovery of his grandfather's work, and his enjoyment of his craftsmanship.
Awww! My Valentine has left a comment to his sweetheart! How blessed am I?!
I'm looking forward to our first dinner hosted in Wildflower Manor with Albert and his lifetime sweetheart!
Love always, Your Barley
Wow! What a wonderful story and how gracious of you to walk Albert into each room for a tour!
Hi Rebecca! Thank you so much for visiting my blog and for your lovely comment.
Albert was such a wonderful new friend to meet! It was our blessing. We can't wait to have him and his wife over for dinner! The thought of him sitting down for a meal in the house that his grandfather built is such a great motivation for us to finish soon!
Much love, Kimberley
What a wonderful story to go with your amazing house. I am so glad Albert wanted to stop by! And being the gracious people you and Graham are, of course you welcomed him…and enjoyed his visit, finding out his connection was icing on the cake.
I love the picture of the house from long ago.
Hi Jeannie! Bless your heart and thank you for your lovely comments about "Come Inside," and our meeting Albert! I truly felt it was a God introduction! Please keep reading! Love Kimberley
What a beautiful history. Albert sounds great! The sort of guy anyone would like to meet.
It's so wonderful you could show him the house his grandfather built. What an honour!
Hey Sally! Thank you so much for your wonderful comment after reading Albert's story! Yes, we truly did feel it was an honor to meet him. We pray that we will have further opportunities to visit with him in the future! Keep reading! So much love, Kimberley
What a great story, wish houses could talk but you got the next best thing! Out England house was built in 1924, no hidden treasures under carpets sadly but wish I knew its story
Hi Heather, We discovered there's a local Historical Society here, where we live and you can research the history of your house there. Maybe you have something similar where you are? We looked up the history for our 1924 (Storybook Cottage) but haven't yet researched the history of Wildflower Manor, which is a 1903! So, it was great meeting Albert and learning a bit of its history from an actual human connection, rather than paper! Love Kimberley
Loved this bit of history.
Hi Sally! Thank you so much for reading and commenting on my blog!
Discovering the history is definitely one of the best parts of doing up our old house! Meeting Albert really blessed our hearts! Please keep reading. So much love to you, Kimberley
Loving your stories Kimberley!! Heartwarming and delightful. We need more of that in our world. After you’re finished with your home, you should write a book! 🤗
Hi Donna! Thank you so much for that fantastic comment! That is actually one of my motivations for doing this blog! I have written a book and I hope to have it published but need support to get there! Who knows what God may do through this blog! Please keep reading and sharing this with friends so that I can grow my readers numbers! So much love, Kimberley
I absolutely loved reading about Albert and the history of your dream house!
Hi Dawn, Because I know how precious you are, I know you would absolutely love meeting Albert! He's a proper country gentleman who loves his wife, family, church and community. We were honored to meet him. Thank you for reading! Much love, Kimberley
Aw, I know he felt pride in seeing it and being able to walk through it 💜
Hi baby girl! Thank you for reading and commenting on one of my favorite posts! Yes, it was touching to be there with Albert when he saw inside "Wildflower Manor" for the first time! I believe it blessed us as much as it did him. I hope we will be able to have him over again in the future as the house is being restored over time. I can't wait for you to visit us and see it in person too!!
Lots of love, Mom
❤️
Thank you Jeanette for continuing to read and love my blog! Much love, Kimberley