If These Walls Could Speak...

After five years of inhabiting what I've affectionately dubbed as the "Linden Street Penthouse" (LSP), this past weekend saw the end of an era. LSP (kind of sounds like a drug, doesn't it?) is the detached 3 level rowhome we've lived in since 2001 - Irishgirl, PAgirl, Iowagirl and I - and now we have gone our separate ways. Although we won't be moving too far from each other (Irishgirl and I are moving to the downstairs apartment), this change is somewhat bittersweet. UrbanPromise is what brought this mish-mash of individuals together almost six years ago and now "life" as we know it is allowing us to move forward with our lives.

Yesterday Iowagirl and I spent the morning cleaning LSP and as I walked around the empty rooms, I could almost hear the echoes of each of our voices in every room, simultaneously envisioning all the different memories we made over these last five years. As I encircled the now bare and stark room which used to be my bedroom, an overwhelming rush of emotions hit me, down to the core of my very being.

If these walls could speak...
it would talk of one very late night when Irishgirl and I made up ridiculous lyrics to old Sunday School songs and laughing hysterically over idiotic actions made up along the way.

If these walls could speak...
it would talk of dumb highschoolish conversations of "Who Would You Rather Kiss?"

If these walls could speak...
it would talk of celebrating friendship every Valentine's day over wine and cheese, strawberries and chocolate.

If these walls could speak...
it would talk of a somewhat inebriated Joy climbing out of the third floor window so she could lay atop the roof to find a glimpse of stars in the midst of city lights.

If these walls could speak...
it would talk of Irishgirl's self-appointment of caretaker whenever Joy becomes somewhat inebriated.

If these walls could speak...
it would talk of Iowagirl's continual attempts to "cop a feel" at yours truly's various body parts.

If these walls could speak...
it would talk of Joy's continual attempts to "cop a feel" back at Iowagirl. (It's a roomate thing)

If these walls could speak...
it would talk of a time when Larissa spent the night and during a late night conversation, yours truly managed to convince her that a girl could lose her virginity by using a tampon.

If these walls could speak...
it would talk of the morning after IvyLeagueBoy and I broke up and Iowagirl sitting on my rocking chair, consoling me as I wept in my bed. She just sat and listened. Didn't try to solve the situation or give me pat answers. She just listened.

If these walls could speak...
it would talk of the many confrontations and butting of heads between Irishgirl and Joy.

If these walls could speak...
it would talk of the many laughter shared between Irishgirl and Joy.

If these walls could speak...
it would talk of PAgirl's gentle spirit, always caring, always supportive.

If these walls could speak...
it would talk of Irishgirl and Joy's late night prayers for each other and for the unknown future.

If these walls could speak...
it would talk of Iowagirl, PAgirl and Joy nursing a pitt bull back to health.

If these walls could speak...
it would talk of Irishgirl and Joy downloading Barry White's Greatest Hits, while doing the sitting-head-bop on our kitchen table.

If these walls could speak...
it would talk of the four of us cramming into Iowagirl's room, on her bed, every Wednesday night to watch Lost.

If these walls could speak...
it would talk of boyfriends coming and going.

If these walls could speak...
it would talk of friends and family coming and going.

If these walls could speak...
it would speak of four women, whom five years ago, saw each other as strangers but are now inextricably intertwined and regard each other as family.