We flew back home to Texas recently and got lots of good visiting time in with friends and family. During our time there, we were on the proverbial treadmill, running here and there to squeeze in as many visits with our loved ones as possible over a two week period. It's always therapeutic to be back in Texas reconnecting with our 'people', most of whom we only get to see twice a year. Whenever we go back, if time allows, we will do a nostalgic drive by of the neighborhoods where we used to live.
There was the cozy old ranch style abode-our first home, nestled at the end of a shady tree lined street. Tons of memories come to mind-the excitement of owning our first home, the numerous home improvement projects we enthusiastically took on: tiling, painting, ripping out wall paper, bathroom remodeling, new appliances. We were so excited to make changes and improvements to make our first house a "home". Then we brought home a cute little Golden Retriever puppy named Tyler. We were smitten with him but a little intimidated by the responsibility of owning a pet. We figured if we could handle providing for the basic needs of our new canine friend, then maybe we were ready to take on parenthood of a tiny human.
So we happily added to our brood two sweet boys, who loved to run and play in the enormous backyard with miles and miles of green grass. Okay I'm kidding about the miles and miles part, but it sure felt that big when it was time to mow the yard-ha!
Then one day we decided that what was once a spacious home for the 2 of us, seemed a bit more crowded when we added 2 children and a dog to the mix. So the next thing you know, we packed up and moved out to a bigger, newer house out in the suburbs. Our next home was a sprawling two story situated on a golf course with tons of windows and lofty vaulted ceilings and a big open kitchen, just perfect for entertaining. This house, we decided, was a great place to raise our boys, plenty of space, good schools, and so we assumed that this was the house where we would be for the long haul, or at least until the boys were grown and out of the house.
And then…. sometimes you never know what surprises life will hand you, and the next thing you know, your spouse is presented with a job opportunity that is out of state.
So we find ourselves and all our worldly possessions very efficiently and expeditiously packed up in a fifty three foot moving van and whisked across the country.
So we find ourselves and all our worldly possessions very efficiently and expeditiously packed up in a fifty three foot moving van and whisked across the country.
And then we had to find a house in West Virginia. A house for us to live in, to fill with our furnishings and to decorate with our familiar nick knacks. A house is defined as a shelter or place of residence. A house can be anywhere. What truly makes a house a home is the people who live in it. A home is the love, laughter, memories, and spirit of the people who live there.
So now I find myself with two homes-my Texas hometown, complete with beloved friends, family and a lifetime of familiar places and memories; and now, a second home in West Virginia, where we are creating new memories.
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