Home!
Where is Home?
Home is where your heart is.
Home is where you hang your hat.
Have you heard those words before? Those words/questions have been rampant in my head lately. Although I’m not confused about where my home is, I am confused where my home is. Sound crazy? It’s a little confusing, but I do know my home is with my husband.
Walking through the rooms of my childhood home last week brought it all front and center. I feel like Mel from the movie Sweet Home Alabama who had a home in NYC and one in Alabama. She loved both. This is how I feel about Iowa and Texas. Iowa is where I have my roots and my heart and yet I’ve lived in Texas over 30 years. I am feeling just a little unsettled.
Anyway, lots has happened in my life in the last six months so I’m not surprised that I feel unsettled. What I do know is that I have the sweetest memories from our trip.
On Friday, we stopped up to the assisted care where my dad had lived before we moved him to Texas. This little lady has become my forever friend. This is what she said to me and I’ll take it. She is one of the most precious people I’ve ever met.
Also, while at assisted care I visited with my kindergarten teacher. I just love her and enjoy seeing her each time I’ve been home this year. Who knew I snapped the picture when her eyes were closed.
Also, on Friday, we met up with my girl, Chris. My little “sis” and watched her daughter during swimming lessons. This is something my mom always did, but she brought balloons.
Then, Chris’ mom showed up. This lady was my first babysitter and there when I came home from the hospital. Gosh, that is a long time. These bonds run deep and my Iowa roots are with these people.
We ran into my one of BFF’s family while we were out for dinner. Oh, the fun and laughs we had. They all said hello to my dad and he loved this video.
What a full day we had on Friday, but there was one more stop. I wanted to visit the cemetery and see where Mom was placed. Unfortunately, the dates were not yet on the tombstone. Cemeteries are unusual places. In this particular one, I recognized many family names and people I had known during my growing up years in this small town. But mostly, this just made me miss Mom even more. I wanted to put flowers on her grave but there is only a small window of time that is allowed and that window had passed.
Saturday we ran a few errands and went to a little birthday party. We were going to make it the pool but that did not happen but instead, we traveled to another little town where I had lived until I was seven. I showed my hubby the houses we had lived in and the sites. We visited with a few friends and went back to the hotel.
On Sunday, we went to my mom and dad’s church {plant}. It was so sweet and I wish I had visited there before with them. We also went to the Fireman’s Breakfast. In small towns, the fire department is held together by volunteers and they have fundraisers throughout the year. I knew my mom would have attended because her dad had been the fire chief for years. I saw some classmates.
We visited with friends again in the afternoon.
We also went to Sunday Supper at my second family. What a blast!
And Monday, I said good bye to my childhood home. The house that built me. My home!
I’m still a little dis-shoveled but it is just a process when life is different.
Have a great day, friend! xoxo ~ Carrie
Where I’ll Be Linking Up: Claire Justine | Between Naps on the Porch | I Do DeClaire | Elegantly Dressed & Stylish | The Fashion Canvas | Jersey Girl, Texas Heart | Pastries, Pumps & Pi | Curly Crafty Mom| A Labour of Life | The Red Closet Diary | High Altitude Style | Elegance and Mommyhood | Shelbee on the Edge | A Pocketful of Polka Dots | Lizzie in Lace | | My Girlish Whims| Penny’s Passion | Grace and Love | Oh My Heartsie Girl | The Flynnigans |Away from the Blue | Anna Nuttall | 3 Little Buttons | Angie the Freckled Rose | Anne Marie’s Haak Blog | A Pinch of Joy |
Andrea Nine says
That some gets me every time, I cried the day our home that I grew up in was sold. This is a treasure dear friend, look at all those smiling faces, faces that adore precious you for you!! LOVED reading this. Home is our heart, so so special.
Kellyann Rohr says
What a sweet post Carrie. Loved seeing highlights from your trip and all of the people who played a part in your life. Sweet memories!
xo,
Kellyann
Mother of 3 says
Aw, how sweet! I bet visiting your childhood home brought back so many memories and it looks like you have lots of friends and family waiting to welcome you with open arms.
mireille says
Home is where family and friends are, where your heart is! Wonderful how you were able to see so many that have fashioned your life!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Claire says
Lovely post Carrie. I can imagine it was full of mixed emotions.
Thanks so much for sharing your post with us at Creative Mondays.