Feeling Nostalgic

I spent this past weekend in Philly and whereabouts for my good friend's 30th birthday celebration. We stayed over a friend's house in Haddonfield, NJ. Having past the Haddonfield exit several times on the way home to my parents, I had a feeling it was close to Cherry Hill, where my grandma used to live. It was only 4 miles away so how could I pass on the opportunity to visit that great house. I guess I'm Art Finkel's daughter since he likes to do the same thing when he's in the area. I vaguely remember riding past the house 6 years ago on the way home from an antique show or something after we ate at the Kosher Chinese restaurant. I arrive at 7 Meryl Lane and I notice some minor changes, ie siding on the house, gray shutters, white paint instead of brown, but everything else looked the same. Seeing the house really brought tears to my eyes remember all the good times we had in that house and visiting grandma and grandpa. As my sister says, "that house is magical." I called mom and dad, then grandma. It was when I called grandma that I saw an orange cat sitting on the roof. Grandma got a kick out of all this. Then I call Sarah, who always appreciates a good cat story. Then I called Aunt Rhona who encouraged me to knock on the front door. Which much encouragement I finally say "okay I'll do it" and hang up with her. I remember that the people who lived there where a nice Russian Jewish family who had two girls. As I make my way up the steps, I recalled the many times I went up and down those steps. The woman opened the door and I introduced myself, prefacing it with, " I know this must be crazy, but my grandma is Sylvia Finkel who used to own this house. I was in the general vicinity and decided to stop by." Without hesitation, they offered me to come in. Of course I went in and then walked me around. There were remnants of the old house, ie. green chairs, double oven, yellow floral couch, hanging light fixture as you walk through the front door, mailbox, and yellow bathroom. They had all of grandma's old books she left behind because they never thrown away good books. They really did such a nice job fixing up the house. The only bummer was the elimination of the bar. I took lots of pictures which I still need to figure out how to share them on this blog, but they are posted on Facebook to view. They offered for me to stay for Shabbat lunch. Since my friends were not expecting me back anytime soon, I accepted and had a nice meal. We all talked for at least 3 hours. The little girl at the time the house was sold was now 18 and a senior in high school. She was very interested in what we used to do in the house and around the area and just what it looked like before. I told her as soon as I go back to visit my parents house, I'd find the pictures I took before the house was sold and share them with her. It made me feel so good to have such nice people living in my grandma's house. I bet you are wondering about the cat; well he was theirs along with three other ones that lived there too. Cat people are quality people in my book. All I can say is what an amazing day. Never did I ever imagine that when I left that house for the last time, I'd be back in it almost 12 years later. Awesome!!!