Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Day 5 - 2015 - HOME




My first thought when I read today's prompt was:  "Home is where the heart is".  I don't know where this quote came from - well, this image came from Pinterest and was shared by etsy.com.  But who actually said it, I don't know.  Many quotes and statements have been said about home.


In my life, I have experienced being away from home many times and for many different reasons.  Some of these times hold memories that have stayed with me.

A first clear memory of home is the years spent in Germany with my parents and two brothers.  When I was in the 7th grade, we were preparing to leave to return to the US.  We left our home the day after Christmas where we would stay with my grandparents until after the holidays.

We celebrated Christmas with our grandparents, a few days later, and stayed until sometime in January.

Then, my parents and brothers left to go to our next military post destination to find us a house...and I stayed behind with my grandparents to finish out the 7th grade!

When we met a few months later for Easter, I wanted to stay home so bad; and am sure I cried most of the way back to my grandparents' home.

I loved my grandparents and enjoyed spending time with them, especially during summer.  But, for my family to leave me there...I was so homesick.  {I never could figure out why I was the one left behind!}

Years later, as an adult, I joined my husband in Germany - yes, back again as an adult!  I loved the country; I was with my husband; that is where our son was born...and "home was where my heart was"!



A friend, who was also living in Germany during that time, hated it!  She missed her mother and father and the "USA"; she was not taking advantage of the time she had to travel and enjoy the beautiful country while she was there.  She was miserable!





Home!

We all have that special place that we call "Home"!  It may be several different places depending on the time of year; or the specific times in our lives.

Maybe you have a vacation home; or a special place you go during the summer (or winter) months!  That is your home for the period of time you are there!



Maybe you spend a few months with one of your children or other family members, or even a friend!


In fact, a few years ago I needed to stay with my daughter and her family for "a season".  Due to health issues, I ended up staying for nine months with one of my daughters and her family.  After spending a couple of weeks in the hospital, it was not wise for me to go back to my house - it was full of mold and mildew, and was falling apart!  That does not bode well for someone with lung issues!

In that case, my "home" was with my daughter and her family...my house was not the home for me any longer!

My husband and I now have made our home in a two-bedroom apartment that has even welcomed a new member, our cat Midnight that we adopted a couple of years ago!

Yes, home is where the heart is and my heart has been in many homes throughout my life!  Right now, it is here.  Perhaps there will be other homes for me - for us - in this life...

But, eventually I will leave this home to join my family and friends who have gone before me.  I will take my place with my Heavenly Father in my Heavenly Home!







This is Day 5 of "31 Days of Free Writes", linking up with Kate Motaung and the Five Minute Friday group.  Check out all of my "Free Write" posts in this series here.  For more information on the "Write31Days" challenge, click here.

10 comments:

  1. Home... it's one of my favorite things to talk about... to create... to protect! Great post!

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    1. Thank you, Karrilee! I love "home", and in my heart it is many different places. Where we are now is not the best; but it is home and it is what we need for now! It's not perfectly decorated; but it has bits of me - not as much my husband because, well, what does a husband know of decorating anyway?! At least not mine!! But, it does have bits of who lives here..

      Thanks for reading and commenting!

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  2. Germany is a country I so want to visit. Home is indeed wherever my heart is. Great post!

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    1. Tara, I'd love to visit again! I still have friends there; a German couple we met - well, my (1st) husband met him when he arrived...he (the friend) was a taxi driver as well as a teacher; so when I arrived, and needed a taxi, I'd call him. We became friends; met his fiance; attended their wedding...and did a lot of fun things together! They have been to the US many times; and have visited us many times! The last visit was with his whole family: 5 "children", two with spouses, and two grandchildren! It was quite the site seeing ALL of us walking down the street to visit a favorite candy store near my daughter!

      Thanks for reading and writing!

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  3. I have had to learn this the hard way over the past few years. It's been hard not to really get to put roots down or have that all American dream home. Yet the Lord has taught me so much about family in provision in the time that we have been "homeless" (living with others) and this post really hits home for me ;) Sorry for the pun, ha ha.

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    1. Natalie, I realize that not everyone is able to make a place their home, especially when they know it's temporary...military families have it hard; any family that has to move often has a rough time of it. But, yes, we DO learn so much about family. Pray that all is well for you now, and that you can embrace (that's another day's word!!) where God has you at this time.

      Thank you for reading and commenting!

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  4. My heart also dictates where my home, my center and sense of belonging, is.

    I have moved close to 30 times. I have been enriched by each place. And I have learned to hold lightly onto things and even relationships. And some day, as you pointed out, I will be in my forever home.

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    1. Yes, Susan, each place we call "home" no matter how long we are there, we hold onto those things, relationships, memories...and one day...our forever home!

      Thanks for reading and commenting!

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  5. Love your insights about home. We have moved a lot and there are several places I consider to be home. I especially love the quote you shared about the "price you pay for the richness of knowing and loving people in more than one place."

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    1. Yes, as my thoughts moved to writing these words, I came across that quote and it just fit right in!

      Thanks for reading - you are catching up, my friend! I'll do so after this retreat!

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