Miles Winsted

A simple farm boy from Amity.

[miles-winsted]

Chessa putting the finishing touches on a packed lunch for Miles.

"You know if you make it too pretty someone's just going to pinch it?"

"If they do they'll have me to answer too."

[miles-winsted]

Grace and Hope whispering together at Lydia's wedding.

"What are you two up to?"

"Nothing Auntie Harmony."

"You know there's cake over there, I'm sure your Dad would just love if you smooshed some in his face."

Taken by Harmony

[miles-winsted]

Mee-maw and Papi babysitting Hope and Grace.

"Do you think you'll have a brother or a sister this time?"

"A brother. Mum already got some of Callum's stuff out of storage."

"You sound disappointed, bug."

"Baby brother's smell funny, Gran."

[miles-winsted]

Miles and Chessa sitting in front of the fire on Christmas eve.

"Next year will be different."

"What do you mean, songbird?"

"I just mean we agreed to start trying for a baby, it would be nice if next year we have our own little present snuggled in here."

"I'm sure we will, songbird. The first of many."

[miles-winsted]

Miles and Chessa enjoying a moment alone after moving into their new house.

"This is nice."

"What is?"

"The quiet. I can do whatever I want and not have to worry."

"Oh really?"

"Yep, fancy taking me upstairs apple boy?"

[miles-winsted]

Grace and Chessa waiting for Miles to come home.

"Remember what you have to yell when he walks in the door Gracie Girl?"

"Happy Birthday, right Mumma?"

"Got it in one. Want to go wake up your brother and sister?"

Taken by Harmony.

[chessa-hargrove-winsted-blog]

Etchings in the Floor || OS

I handed Miles the knife after pulling back the rug. I slipped down against the wall, observing Miles as he traced his fingers along the names his parent’s placed there many years before. The house was quiet for the first time in what felt like eternity. 

"They’ve been in the house for a week now, it’s time to add them," I had said over breakfast. 

"When they nap, then," Miles agreed. 

So here we were, finally putting the names of our newborn triplets into stone. Or wood, rather. Under the line that held Miles’ family, I’d added his Mee-maw, Papi, and Aunt Serene after moving into the house. The names of myself and my family had followed. It was time to start a new line. 

Miles carved the G slowly and quietly. It took a few minutes before he made it to the capital C. I smiled, recalling the secret conversation I’d had with Miles’ mother before we moved in. I mouthed a silent thank you for her watchful protectiveness over this house and over me during the pregnancy. I wouldn’t have gotten through it without knowing she was there. Lost in thought, I realized Miles was on an uppercase H by the time I looked back at him carving. He blew the shavings, sweeping them up in his hand, before standing up.

Before placing the rug back where it belonged, I stood by him, shoulder to shoulder, as he snaked his hand around my waist. Just above our toes, the names of the newest additions to our family; Gracie, Callum, and Hope.

[chessa-hargrove-winsted-blog]

Gracie, giving Chance a kiss

"Gracie do you want to go for a ride?"

"Yessim, daddy, please."

"Alright, but you have to ride with me."

"Good. I love riding with you, daddy."

Taken by an adoring Miles

[chessa-hargrove-winsted-blog]

Hope, building a snowman with Miles

"Look daddy, mine’s just like yours."

"That’s right bug, only smaller."

"His name is Olaf and he likes warm hugs!" 

"Oh yeah? Well daddy’s like warm hugs too." 

Taken by an onlooking Chessa

[chessa-hargrove-winsted-blog]

Miles and Chessa horsing around

"C’mon songbird, you love to fly!"

"You better not drop me!"

"If I do, I’ll catch you."

Taken by an amused Harmony

[chessa-hargrove-winsted-blog]

Callum and Grace inspecting a special house guest

"Take it into the grass, you two."

"But I don’t wanna touch it!"

"Callum can…"

"But I don’t wanna either, mum!"

Taken by a disgusted Chessa

[chessa-hargrove-winsted-blog]

Callum, popping bubbles blow by his sisters

"C’mon Cal, catch the bubbles!"

"This is stupid…"

"Please Callum!"

Taken by a babysitting Lydia

[chessa-hargrove-winsted-blog]

Talking to Ghosts || OS

Leaving Harmony to reminisce in her childhood bedroom, I slipped into Grace and Callum’s old room for the first time. The door stuck, having not been opened for a decade or so. The door creaked on its hinges as I pushed it open, revealing a pale yellow circular rug on the floor. Light streamed in through the curtains, showing the sudden eruption of dust as it spread through the air. I moved in, closing the door behind me. 

Everything was bare besides that yellow rug. No furniture, an empty closet. The paint on the walls had faded, showing squares where framed pictures used to hang on the walls. I coughed a little as I took a seat on the dusty rug sitting right in the middle of the room. Having no idea why yet, I slowly laid back on the rug and stared up at the white ceiling, noticing a slight brown spot. There must be a roof leak. 

I took a deep breath, lacing my fingers together across my stomach. This is where she died. This is the room that held the events that drove this family out of these walls, out of their home. It felt stale, sad, and haunted. Not my Grace, but by the sadness that the Winsted family had allowed to envelope them after her death. I closed my eyes, parted my lips, waiting for the right time to speak. 

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[chessa-hargrove-winsted-blog]

The treehouse in the back yard, courtesy of Miles, Jonah, Jude, and Barric

"This is amazing, Miles!"

"Only took us two weeks to finish…"

"The kids are going to love this!"

"The kids? I kinda thought we could break it in while Harmony babysits…"

"I like the way you think, apple boy."

Taken by a very impressed Chessa

[chessa-hargrove-winsted-blog]

Miles cuddling his newborn girls

"They’ve already got you wrapped around their fingers."

"They will always have me wrapped around their fingers."

Taken by a proud Chessa

[chessa-hargrove-winsted-blog]

Over the years, this house has become a home, our home. Exposed log walls, brick, and rustic furnishings were only the foundation. What made this place a home was the closeness the walls brought Miles and I. What made this place a home was the laughter and the love and the family created under its roof.

[chessa-hargrove-winsted-blog]

Chessa and Callum playing with the camera

"Look at the camera little man!"

"Alright, smile!"

Taken by Chessa