I can’t help but marvel at the beauty of old homes. The beautiful stained glass windows, the huge stone homes built for large families and their servants, and of course the governor's mansion with swords carefully arranged on the high, high ceilings. I was drawn to both the grandeur of the homes and the fantasy of living in them when they were built over 100 years ago. To own one seemed like sacred trust to preserve a piece of history.
It was all a fantasy until I stumbled upon a single three story home with 15 stained and 30 leaded glass windows. Without a single thought to reality I bought the home. tood
I was startled into reality the first time I woke up in the house. I rolled over in bed to gaze upon the sun streaming through the stained glass windows. But it was early morning so the sun hadn't yet risen. Instead of the vibrant colors, I saw dull drab colors that blocked the light. I had to keep the lights on every waking hour. On top of that, the old windows no longer seated well in the frames. To say they were drafty was an understatement. Even with storm windows, my heating bill topped 2000 a month back in the early 80s. Of course, this was a major disappointment.But I once read that any fool can survive a crisis, it’s the day to day frustrations that get you down. That is certainly true for me.
I learned to live with the windows and even enjoy them when they were sunlit. I still loved the hardwood floors, the stately mantel surrounding the fireplace and the graceful stairway from the second floor to the first floor living room. But going down the main stairway added time to the trip and patience is not my virtue when waiting for my first cup of coffee. I used the steep narrow servant’s staircase that opened into the kitchen
And that was pretty much what everyday life was like - looking at the beauty while living with the inconvenience. The house stood out in the neighborhood. It was admired and coveted by many because of all its windows. Out of the blue, a young couple knocked on the door and asked if I would consider selling it to them. They had just started teaching at a local university and she was a stained glass artist. It seemed perfect to them and I felt they were the perfect people to trust with the house. I happily sold it, thinking they would enjoy the house and make sure it retained its historical features while I was free, free, free.
My fantasies having been squashed by reality, I swore off old homes, even those that had a lot of character. This vow was almost broken when I saw a block full of mansion-like stone houses surrounded by large lawns.. Since these houses are much too large for most families of today, they were being bought by funeral homes or by developers turning them into several apartments. For just one minute, I was tempted to buy one and restore it. Then I remembered all the frustrations with my previous old house and walked away.
Instead, I moved into a modern day, cookie cutter condo. It may not be beautiful but it sure is convenient and easy to live in. Instead of pouring my time and money into restoring a house, I hunt for quirky unique furnishings. I enjoy living with all the modern conveniences. And I’m able to satisfy my love for old homes by staying in them on my vacations. For a few weeks, I enjoy their charm and picture myself living in the 1800s. Before the fantasy dims, I’m on my way back to my 21st century home. Being able to inhabit both of my worlds is a reality that outshines every fantasy I ever had.
