The Beloved Hill Home

OK, I don't know if it's feeling sappy, or sentimental today, or maybe a touch of cabin fever...but I have a bit of novel. Sorry.

Today, as I was sitting in front of our fireplace trying to get warm in this FREEZING weather, the thought of my ancestors came to mind. Back in time when having fires was the only source of heat in their home, made me grateful for the furnace I have in my home, and the fireplaces inside as well. Then, the thought came to me of how wonderful, intimate and cozy a fire feels. It was the gathering place in many homes. Family would come to get warm before jumping into bed, baby's were rocked in front of it, and friends and family would lay on the rug in front of it to chat, sing, court or nap.

When you enter into my blog, a lovely red-brick house SHOULD appear on the opening to my page. The Beloved Hill home. 3 of my Great Grandmothers ( MaryCaroline's ) raised many children in this home. The Oldest Woman in the picture is my 3rd Great, Mary Caroline Sorenson Hill, and my 1st Great is little dark-haired Mary. Her sister Naomi is the blonde.

My Great Grandmother Mary died in the early 1980's, and I have no recollection of her, but we are soul mates. I now have a testimony that we inherit hobbies and interests as well as there genes. Mary LOVED antiques. She would save and save to buy something practical for her house, and then purchase a chandelier. She had beloved plates, furniture, dolls, needlework, etc. She had the most beautiful yard in all of Murray. Many said it was what they thought the garden of eden would be like. She LOVED the temple, and had a stong testimony. I treasure her, and throughout my posts, I'm sure Great Grandma Mary will be mentioned. When I read her history, I felt as if I could have been cloned from her. :) Now, you know why my Daughter was named after her. She is so precious to me.

Mary had a PASSION for the Hill Home. She was raised in it, and throughout her journal/history, love and happiness was always abundant there. MANY people found comfort and safety there. President John Taylor stayed for a bit during the polygamy time, and blessed the house that " it would be a place of peace and refuge for people ".. And it was. She ended up moving back into it before her death, and it was always a happy, cherished place filled with family. ( Mary had 15 children ). After reading her history, I longed to go there, and step inside. I was so sad to go to the grounds, and find gigantic condominiums in it's place. Even being there - standing where the old house was, there was a certain reverance felt.

My Great Grandmothers sister Naomi died at the age of 102 in September 2007. In her home was this painting of the old Hill home, painted by her daughter Carolyn. ( and I am so GRATEFUL she painted it! )After Naomi died, my Great Aunt Jeannine, ( After much begging from me!! )had her daughter Melissa take a picture of the house, and after some work that Melissa did with it, Jeannine gave it to me, and many others as a christmas gift. It was propbably the best gift I received this year. This simple 5x7 copy, that makes me smile whenever I see it, motivated me to put it on my blog where I can look at it everyday, and visualize my Great Grandmothers inside, happy and together.

It is a very important place to me. It is a reminder that it's the simple things, like friends and family sitting around a warm fire, that are the most important. My greatest desire is that I can too have a cozy home that my children, friends and family can feel peace, and refuge from this crazy world we live in. ~ And maybe save for a few chandeliers.....