Ms. Dashwood loves to drive in country-type settings and look at old homes. During one such drive on January 11, 2019, she noticed an old, shuttered-up home in a patch of woods, along a nearby stream. Intrigued, at the next chance, Ms. Dashwood drove through a mid 20th century neighborhood and found the older home on a few acres of wooded land. Despite being near suburban homes, the older home was untouched by vandalism, but stood quiet, still, and in dignity. There were no "No Trespassing" signs, so Ms. Dashwood drove her car onto the spacious and paved driveway, turned off the engine, and got out with her camera to have a look around.
Part of the home's charm was the fact that the driveway bordered a large tree, just like her grandparents' farmhouse. So, despite never being here before, Ms. Dashwood felt immediately at home, and not like an interloper.
She took many pictures of the home, from many different angles. It was a warmish winter day, in the 40s, and the leaves on the dry lawn crisply crackled as she walked around the yard.
This was a nice way to find a break in the day, and get outside for some fresh air. Ms. Dashwood, however, was especially touched to see the writing on the front door. "RIP XXX."
Clearly, someone loved the home, regretted leaving it, and left these best wishes and three kisses.
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| "Rest in Peace, Kiss, Kiss, Kiss" |
Later, Ms. Dashwood researched the home, built in about 1740 in Newark, Delaware, along Harmony Road. The pre-Revolutionary history, along with the care that people took with the home, created a poignant memory of a house that weathered the American Revolution, and still inspired love, even when it was abandoned for reasons unknown to Ms. Dashwood.
