It was a slow wake-up for us. We needed to be on the road heading back to Long Island for the closing but we overslept. I could barely keep awake as we inched closer to New York but I did notice that the weather was cooler. Would our house be ready to welcome us back?
Hello house,
you waited for us
to return.
We are ready
to make you
a welcoming sight
for new owners.
They will love you
as you grow older.
We will remember
all the memories,
the good times
and sad ones.
Homes are
safe havens
of happiness.
You were that for us.
Home is a shelter from storms-all sorts of storms. -William J. Bennett
"By wisdom, a house is built, and through understanding, it is established. Through knowledge, its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures."
-Proverbs 24:3-
For the past month, I have been trying to declutter my house based on the wisdom of Marie Kondo, Japanese organizing consultant. I have started to look through shelves, closets, and attic to determine the worth of saved items. While doing so I linger in the memory attached to each object and then, make a decision on whether the piece still brings joy. If not, I place the item in a donation box or in the throwaway bin, letting go of any sense of loss I may have.
For several days, I have been reflecting on this month's Spiritual Journey 1st Thursday topic, "Home is where the heart is," offered by host Donna Smith. I was struck by another scripture reading, "The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock." - Matthew 7:25
How many times have I turned to faith, believing that the family foundation would withstand challenges? How many times have I relied on the bonding of hearts to bring joy back into the home again?
Understanding that it is not the structure of a house that brings hearts together leads to the concept of home. My home has been adorned with a tapestry of invisible love that filters the drama of the outside world and withstands the turmoil of inner struggles. It is my home not the house that becomes a sacred place of refuge and warmth, bringing hearts together and strengthening bonds. Do you feel the same way?
Listen to Elvis sing his tender song, Home Is Where The Heart Is.
💗
I now join this month's Spiritual Journey 1st Thursday's discussion with Donna Smith at Mainely Write.
The above poem is my attempt to write a "skinny", a poem of eleven lines in the following format: The 1st and 11th lines can be any length. The 11th and last line must be repeated using the same words from the 1st line and opening line, however, they can be rearranged. The 2nd, 6th, and 10th lines must be identical. All the lines in this form, except for the 1st and last lines, must be comprised of only one word.
"Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house we go..." I used to sing that when traveling to see my Nonnie. Many years later, this song was sung when my husband drove my children to my mother's home in Syracuse. Last weekend, my grandbaby Sierra came to visit and I sang the song when she arrived. For three generations, my family has honored the tradition of coming back to the place where we grew up.
In the spirit of returning, we come HOME.
finding comfort where we as children roamed.
A spirit of love surrounds us here as cherished memories reappear.
Families come together for many reasons. It is in the spirit of celebration that my family returned to the childhood home on Long Island, a place filled with memories. Reflecting upon that visit, I am reminded of the proverb, "Home is where the heart is." It takes hearts and hopes to create a home where our stories of strength, love, and even challenge evolve. There are many roads to cross in life but returning home offers families a place to sort and reaffirm the strength of family life where love is rooted and grows. This past weekend, I celebrated family coming together from Virginia and Syracuse. Even though our little grandbaby had a fever and was uncomfortable, we enjoyed each other's company and made new memories. I am grateful for the gathering of family to spend time together.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
-1Corinthians 13:7
*****************
This month's Spiritual Journey First Thursday is hosted by Patricia Weaver at Writer on a Horse. We gather together to respond to Pat's topic, "in the spirit of returning".
Home is where our story begins, grows, and is preserved. At this time of the year, when thanksgiving brings families together, my eyes scan this place I call home. Thoughts flood my mind.
As Thanksgiving approaches, I am in the midst of decorating my home inside and outside. I look forward to creating new memories honoring the spirit of family togetherness, for home is the place where my family's hearts will be filled with new life-living moments.
For me, the word HOME ignites a spirit of family togetherness!
What does it signify to you?
Today is Poetry Friday and Jama Rattigan, the hostess with the mostess is serving coffee, donuts, and poetry for the Poetry Friday Roundup here.
I am also joining the #TeachWrite community this month to write about HOME.
October turned a corner, allowing November to stroll in with beautiful Indian Summer days of record-breaking warm temperatures and golden hues. An attitude of gratitude for these wonderful days sweeps the air and my thoughts fast forward to Thanksgiving when the family comes homeward bound.
I pause for a moment to think about the phrase, Home is where the heart is. The words are meaningful for home is not an ordinary place. Home goes beyond a physical residence. While in my daily routine, I may forget the specialness of home, I value it as a holder of a lifetime of memories and emotions. Home is the place where family coming together to reconnect, share moments, and honor traditions.
Preparations for family members greeting each other at the gathering table on Thanksgiving begin today. My family will travel to Central New York to celebrate the traditional feast of Thanksgiving. While the air may be crisper there than on Long Island and a snowflake may fall, home is where the heart is. I anticipate this gathering and hope to savor each moment with family knowing that an attitude of gratitude for all that home represents will preside at the table.
While listening to the song "Homeward Bound" by BYU Focal Point, I linger over the first stanza and know that the calling to be homeward bound is strong.
In the quiet misty morning
When the moon has gone to bed,
When the sparrows stop their singing,
I'll be homeward bound again.
I offer this digital inspiration to my family in preparation for the Thanksgiving holiday.
By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
Proverbs 24:3-4 I will remember to treasure the riches of home as I head homeward bound for Thanksgiving. You will enjoy listening to the angelic voices of Homeward Bound.
Be blessed today as you start preparing for the Thanksgiving gathering.
Today is #ThankfulThursday and Holly Mueller asks our Spiritual Journey Thursdaycommunity to blog about a topic each week. Today we are discussing home. Please visit SJT here.
