Thursday, December 4, 2008

There’s No Place Like Home

“Be it ever so humble . . .”

Ours is. It frequently evokes phrases like, “If only we had one more bedroom” and “It looks like they didn’t invent storage until after 1952.” The plumbing often rattles behind the scenes at night like a tone-deaf symphony. The kitchen counters are routinely cleared of everything, but over time, one or two items appear, and then they seem to breed or invite a few friends over, or both, until sure enough: oy.

But as we continue to talk about our house, our comments become more about our home. We start saying things like, “But boy, in the spring for just a few minutes at dusk, when the last of the sun’s rays just glow through those curtains . . .” and “Remember our first Christmas tree, right over in that corner . . . ” and of course, coming home from anywhere, walking in the door, setting everything down in the most familiar of surroundings, and happily sighing, “Ahh.”

What I’ve realized is that a home is a lot like a relationship. A relationship is not insufficient because one of you never does this and the other one never does that. Nor is it a treasure because one of you makes $150K a year or can really keep up with the laundry. It’s a treasure because of the moments, like the time he sang you to sleep when you were sick, and the time she held you and stroked your forehead when you finally broke down, and that night you laughed so hard together you thought you’d stop breathing. The real value of a home, much like a relationship, is not what it brings to your life, but the life it brings to you.

No matter how flawed the partners, it’s those moments that make a relationship. And no matter how humble the house, it’s those memories that make it a home.

9 comments:

  1. The size of the house does not represent the size of ones heart…
    What a beautiful post…

    Louise

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  2. If ever there was a post that brought MAJOR tears to my eyes ... this would be it..

    What a lovely way to describe.. the ups & downs ... ins & outs of well.... perfection ... for it is all those little imperfections ... memories... moments of joy .... tears .... laughter...all rolled into one... thats what makes it complete .... perfect

    You and Nancy make each other complete...

    BEAUTIFUL!!

    HUGS

    JO

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  3. Thanks for sharing such a beautiful relfection! Pam

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  4. So true! More stuff to include a bigger home..... It doesn't matter!! Relationships & kindness matter. A Rabbi once told me something as a teenager, that I've never forgotten. He said "Happiness isn't having what you want, but wanting what you have". It reminds of your post today.

    My best to you and Nancy.
    xo
    Constance

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  5. People, not places or things - thats what LIFE is all about. You put everything into perspective and make us realize how important the day to day NOW is, not what I want tomorrow. Something we all need to hear in these economically difficult times.
    Lovingly stated, and very heartfelt.
    Hugs...

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  6. I came across your blog this evening...what a wonderful and loving post!

    Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas!

    Sharon

    ReplyDelete

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