Songbird says: I've got home on my mind: what it feels like, how we make it, what we carry from the past and how we separate other people's leftovers from objects that really reflect our identity. My family has had one home for the past 13 years, the longest I've ever lived anywhere. As the time when all the children are gone comes closer, I wonder where my next home will be? So here are five questions about home.
1) Where was your first home? My first home was in Dubuque, IA. I lived in the same house with my parents until I went away to go to college (and a short stint in the convent). I moved back after graduating and stayed in Dubuque until I was 27 when I left for the last time and moved to Minnesota. Form many years when I would go back to Dubuque to visit, I would think about the life I didn't have there and wonder what it would have been like if I had just stayed there as an adult.
2) Do you ever dream about places you used to live? Just last night I went again in dreams to the house I was raised in. it is often the setting for some sleep saga or another, and I wonder sometimes just what it is I am still trying to work out with that place!
3) If you could bring back one person from your past to sit at your dinner table, who would you choose? My mother, without a doubt! We told our life stories in CPE this week and I have been really thinking about her and missing her even more since then. She has been gone since 1997, and has missed some pretty important stuff in my life, graduation and the start of my career as a psychologist, ordination, my wedding (though she was there in spirit I know). The one thing I wish I could do is introduce her to my sweet husband. She would love him as much as I do, I know, and be so happy to see us together.
4) What's your favorite room in your current living space? I have a confession that will only come as news to some people-I don't like where we live very much, and still miss my house in the little town on the prairie. We went from this large, charming old house with seven rooms and two porches, two garages and a large fenced yard to a four room/one garage townhouse. It is really perfectly fine, has LOTS of storage space for its size and a great location for work, shopping, CPE, etc. But it never quite feels like home. If I had to pick a "favorite" room though, I would say my bathroom! It's big and spacious and has its own linen closet. I have decorated it to my taste and think it's kind of cute (as bathrooms go). The shower is great...hot and full of great water pressure. I am trying to like the whole place better as we are there at least until next June and maybe beyond if we decide to be frugal and save money for our future adventures instead of more on housing.
5) Is there an object or an item where you live now that represents home? If not, can you think of one from your childhood? Well, I can't exactly call him an "object or item" but home to me is where ever R is. He is what makes the space I am not so fond of bearable, and he is who I think about when I think of home. It's not so much a place anymore as it is where I find him and we can spend time together.
3 comments:
I so agree with you about wanting our mothers back for a chat! Here's hoping that your gardenhome will become more of "home" as you rationalize its practicalities. R is there after all!
That trade-off between charm and modern conveniences such as enough hot water is a tough one. Like the sound of the linen closet!
You are still so sweet on your husband and I so admire that. I think your mom is everywhere you are...just harder to imagine the spirit than when we have someone in this world to hug.
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