BEAUTY

For well over a century this house has provided shelter, originally to the Gauss family and now to the us, the Grocoffs.  It has been a place of safety, warmth and beauty. It has been the cradle within which these families have been able to experience love, happiness and joy.  

Beauty is in the name “Gertrude Gauss” written, nearly a century ago, in chalk on the basement rafters next to the names of her older brothers, Rolly and Robert. Beauty is in the pieces of tinker toys, Valentines cards, shoe laces, and a flute reed we found covered in coal soot in the attic.  Beauty is in the wonder of our 6 year old daughter’s eyes as she imagines the life of Gertie, as a little girl living in this home before her.  Beauty is in the bent sunlight that passes through the old wavy glass in the windows as our family creates new life and memories.