Home is one of those emotive words that has 50 shades of meaning depending on who is speaking it.
Anyway, back to the topic ... home for me is all about who I am with and the community I am planted in. In the last 25 years my husband and I have lived in 9 different houses in 4 states, and oh yes, we emigrated here from England 25 years ago.
So, needless to say, that I have fond memories of us being in those very different homes. But the thread running through them all, that makes them each a home for that time, is love.
Just recently I went on Google Earth and traveled down every street that I have lived on. I took a virtual tour of my life and looked at every place I have called 'home.' It was so interesting to see how the various houses had stayed the same, or changed, or the area had grown. Fleeting glimpses of my life flickered in my mind as I 'stood' outside each place.
It made me feel like a nomad, a hermit crab, a wanderer.
But I realized that everything I need to feel at home is in the people around me: love, acceptance, laughter, church, and hope.
Stop.
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When I am speaking it, I think of a place where I am loved and allowed to be myself. Loved unconditionally, and accepted for all my idiosyncrasies. Hmmm, writing that has given me pause. I need to remember that when our young adult daughter is home. I have realized that, unconsciously, I have been trying to make her in my mold, and she is not. She is a unique creation.
So, needless to say, that I have fond memories of us being in those very different homes. But the thread running through them all, that makes them each a home for that time, is love.
Just recently I went on Google Earth and traveled down every street that I have lived on. I took a virtual tour of my life and looked at every place I have called 'home.' It was so interesting to see how the various houses had stayed the same, or changed, or the area had grown. Fleeting glimpses of my life flickered in my mind as I 'stood' outside each place.
It made me feel like a nomad, a hermit crab, a wanderer.
But I realized that everything I need to feel at home is in the people around me: love, acceptance, laughter, church, and hope.
Click on the button to see other blogs in the link up!
I can totally relate. I like that phrase "50 shades of meaning" - home is one of those powerful words and you explore it well. I was feeling like a bit of a nomad too as I wrote on this one, but I'm pretty sure you've got me beat. Good to know we can find home in any place if there's love.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Christie! Good to meet another nomad on FMF:-) It's my first time, and I'll definitely be back!
DeleteI love your post and know in my bones that what you write about carrying home with us is very true. Home is an intimate part of who we are.
Blessings,
Sue
Thanks for stopping by my blog! I like your first FMF post here. Home is one of those evocative words that takes us in so many directions, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, Amy! Great to meet with you on FMF!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Sue
I love that you visited your former homes on Google earth! Sometimes we need to remind ourselves of the path we have traveled on during our life!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joy! It was interesting to 'see' them and be able to 'walk' by them. The weirdest thing was that when I looked at our current home, there was my son mowing the front lawn!!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Sue