Arthur J. Krauski

I moved into the dirty old house when I was 23.
It was not very pretty.
But it was my first home
And something I could be proud to call my own.
I quickly met my neighbors.
Well, with their pool and all it was to my advantage.
The boys helped me build my new garage and deck.
I saw the way their family of 6 grew up and became admirable teenagers.
I was there the night the eldest came home at 2 AM.
I was there the day the 4 year old fell off his bike.
I was there when the middle child was confirmed.
I was there and I saw the oldest sneaking his girlfriend in the house late one night.
I was there for his first party and I didn't tell his parents. (Even though my yard was covered in beer cans and vomit)
I was there when he became an adult.
I was happy to watch it all from my deck.
All these things I saw
Gave me the inspiration to start my own family.
The midnight conversations changed my life.
The memories I have of them I'll never forget.
Some say I might have wasted away on my back porch
Drinking and smoking
But from the thoughts we all shared and the bond we grew,
I'd say I enjoyed every minute of it.

Jeff Hulbert