Some people like to move. I don’t understand these people. I once got to know the mom of my daughter’s friend in high school. She actually expressed her frustration in living in the same town longer than usual. Apparently two years was the length of their typical stint.
I felt like I was speaking with an alien. Or maybe I was the alien. We spoke different languages. I have to admit I have such admiration and fascination with the “movers”. Clearly I have something to learn from them. As for me, I had trouble changing the front door color the first time because someone thought it should always be blue. What a big step for me to take a risk and paint it red.
Warning…. BIG FEELINGS AHEAD!
Why would anyone want to leave their HOME? It’s my home—my porch, my windows that look out to the azaleas, the forsythia, the dogwood. Why would I want to leave? I can tell who’s walking up the stairs by the sound of footsteps and a certain creak of the floor. I love my porch swing— I love watching birds at the feeder. I LOVE my kitchen, especially since we finally replaced the pink laminate, and built the amazing green cabinet that I designed.
I love to hear family and friends come through the front door—especially the ones who just walk in. I love that every room groans with memories.
I can still visualize the tea party Katherine had when she was five. The little girls were so cute in their frilly dresses and hats.
The wonderful times around the big dining room table when when talked and laughed for hours. Our birthday dinners, Christmas parties, Easter celebrations, Sunday dinners–gathering around the table is the very best! The many showers and parties we’ve hosted to celebrate new marriages and new babies.The Bible studies and small groups that lasted for years!
I recall the soccer games in our huge backyard– the time we hired our neighbors to be officials for John’s birthday party. They were pre-teens, but looked liked real referees to eight year old boys.
The Christmas stockings were hidden every year with miles of string attached. Some years they were discovered in the pear tree, an air vent or in the fireplace. Tom’s skills knew no bounds.
We broke ground on our house the very day we brought John home from the hospital. That was in 1988. For months and months I would drive over to the property with our three kids and watch the progress with great excitement. A few years later we brought our baby daughter Katherine to the only place she’s called home.
Today I’m struggling. I wish I weren’t such a mush when it comes to things like houses and memories. But the truth is I am. I absolutely hate the idea of moving away from this house and living in another city. But sometimes, as we journey through life, things happen unexpectedly and we’re led on a course that’s different from what we anticipated.
Right now it seems that my husband’s job change may require a geographical relocation in the not so distant future. So I’m processing, grieving and trying to focus on today.
“Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One Who is leading.”
Oswald Chambers
That One leading is the One who has always been faithful to me. So now I wait in expectation, and trust as much as I am able, knowing that all we be well.
“Many are the plans of a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:20
20 Comments
How I love this.
Thank you!
Such a huge change, and you’re right so many memories. Change is so hard, but value the excitement of it too! You’ll meet new friends, get to explore new places, you can visit with the old ones and still enjoy the beach and you’ll appreciate time with them even more! I have many fond memories of your house too! So many times playing outside on the swing set, or inside with American Girls, the short walk from my yard to yours. Love you!
Abigail, your words brought tears! We’ve come full circle….my little next-door neighbor is now guiding me:) You’re so right. I want to be young in my thinking and look forward to new adventures. Love you, too.XXXOOO
Myra,
I have always felt like that too! My home has always been my safe place which represents all the goodness and joy in my life.
Thanks for understanding, Pam, and for commenting! XXXOOO
So true. I have memories in your home too. Love, Cynthia
Thank you Cynthia!
Your feelings are precisely how most folks feel. If people had to move every 18 months or so, there would be far less decluttering necessary. When we put down roots, we forget about the things in our home. They become part of the permanent landscape and become almost invisible. Items get ferreted away in the backs of closets and drawers to be inadvertently forgotten, buried by later additions to the collection. It is only when an event like moving forces one to uncover everything that we can truly see the extent of the accumulation. We are sentimental beings…about our homes and everything inside them. If there’s space (and even if there’s not) we’ll keep things. What’s the harm? If that expression is repeated over years and decades, it isn’t hard to see how one can end up with an unmanageable pile of things.
Thanks for your comments Jeff. So true. I like the way you communicate!
Myra, you are so gifted at creating a beautiful home that you have shared so well with others. It is hard to even imagine you not being there and I can only imagine how hard the process would be for you. As I sit here in my house, wanting to make change and wanting to simplify, you have stirred emotional feelings for me with that I haven’t really thought about (or haven’t wanted to think about) It seems easier to just detach and move on, but in reality, it isn’t. We have raised and loved our families in our homes, and when our kids have grown and moved on, our homes filled with stuff and memories are what we feel keeps us connected. But, I am trying to see that new adventures are exciting and will only bring more great memories and more things to share with our families. I will pray for you in this time of unknown and transition. Love
Thanks so much Brenda! I’m going to re-read your message when I need encouragement. Your words are so true. I’ve got to focus on the new chapters. Much Love!
Myra-very cool Blog. Tender message that I just read. Gods Got This..He never makes mistakes! Hang on to him tight- for this journey will open new rooms of Joy! Deuteronomy 28- The Blessing!
Thank you so much Tricia! I agree with all you said- hanging on to the Truth! With Love:)
Myra, I truly understand. Recently I drove to our last family home of almost 25 years and pulled in the driveway and just sat there with tears flowing. I didn’t seem to care if the new owners were wondering what in the world I was doing. Jackson was in the back seat and he asked why I was crying and I told him about all the memories I had with his mommy and Aunt Mer and Papa. I asked him if he remembered this house as he was 3 when we moved and he said he wasn’t sure. I told him about playing on the front porch and I drove him around the neighborhood talking about our walks and how he would look at each house to see what kind of cars/trucks were parked there and especially talked about the large motor home parked at the corner house. I told him about the holidays spent in this house with his mommy and Aunt Mer and that Santa came to this house just like he comes to his house. I remember when we moved how I could not bear to return to that house….Chuck had to handle the final details as it just broke my heart to go there…it seemed the walls were talking to me and I could hear all the “memories” coming from them. But, now we make new memories in our new home closer to our girls (God knew that we needed to be closer) with new chapters filled with family and yes our grandsons who now will make the walls “talk” and the floors “move.” I know whatever God’s plans are for you and Tom, you will both be fulfilled and happy. God is good!
Oh Pam- I cried when I read this. That is exactly how I feel! I’ve already imagined how hard it would be later to even drive past the house. Even today, I wonder how I can do it! I feel encouraged reading your words- it helps to know I’m not the ONLY one. Thank you for writing!
Much love!
… all we be well! Love it! good stuff, dear friend. we are aliens(peculiar people) together.
Thanks Barbara!
Love this so much! Thank you Myra for being so open and transparent!
Thank you for your comment, Myra! Hope all of you are well!