history lives here

MOC Day 20: Telling a Story

Elif Sahin Designs: It's About Time Elements and Papers

i haven't always been this run down. i was a pretty good looking barn, once, back in the day. i had strong, sturdy walls and a solid foundation. my roof was state of the art, when i was in my prime. in the beginning, i did everything. i stored hay, keeping it warm and dry through the winter, so the horses had food. i held onto the tools and farm equipment, making sure they weren't stolen, and didn't rust out in the elements. i was a labor and delivery room, and then a warm bed, for the farm cats to have their kittens. i was an overnight stop for the travelers making their way toward destinations unknown. i was a hiding place when susie "ran away" from home. she didn't make it any further than my loft. later, i was the secret meeting place for susie when she got older and wanted to meet billy from the neighboring farm. their daddies would have tanned their hides if they knew they were sweet on each other. i know all the secrets from this farm. i was a haven where people could come talk through their troubles with themselves, or work through their differences with each other. some days, i was their "church," where they could talk to god.

but, over time, i lost some of my luster. the rain and the snow battered my walls, and the sun dried them out. the wind worked its way in through the gaps, and suddenly i couldn't keep folks as warm as i used to. my roof got weak and started showing its age. they patched me up as best they could, but as the farm grew, i stopped being useful. once they built a new barn, closer to the house, they didn't need me so much anymore. so here i sit. eventually i know i won't be much more than a pile of old wood, and that's okay. i had a good life, and i served my purpose.