HOME

Tucked among the cornfields in middle America is a small town that Hubby and I sometimes refer to as "Home." I say sometimes because it is not where we now reside, but it is where our roots lie (gnarled as they may be).  It rained a good portion of the time we were travelling so it seemed rather gloomy and desolate.  Contributing to that feeling is the ever present awareness of the aging of our parents.  Each time we drive away there is the wonder whether our next visit will be one of celebration or...well...a celebration of life of a different sort.  Don't get me wrong, there isn't anything immediately pending.  It's just that we don't get to travel that way often enough and precious time is slipping away.  Adding to the fact that we know that our own winter of life is looming ahead of us makes the time with friends and family all the more precious.

It was a good visit with our families though.  My father is making the adjustment to living without my mother's presence.  He and I - along with the occasional sharing of a picture or a story with the rest of the family members in the room - went through a box of old slides and prints.  Your age will show if you nodded and silently said to yourself, "Ahhh, yes, I remember slides!"  He needed someone to share the stories with before they disappeared forever.  Sometimes I had to act quick to save a slide or two before he tossed them in the trash bag, but most of them have a date with the garbage truck.  I can't help but feel sadness as he "throws his memories away."  He is aware that no-one cherishes his vacation landscapes or flower beds, and so he tosses.  I save those of my childhood memories and pictures of my parents when they were at the age when I thought they were old, but were really at the age I am now.  Not really that old at all!!  Oh, how our perceptions change.  It is always fun going through them with him, and as we do, I always get some new tidbit - another glimpse into the past from his viewpoint.

All of Hubby's family were at dinner on Thursday.  It is seldom that we are all together, so that was a treat.  I enjoyed being able to connect with my niece over our iPad experiences.  She was able to show me a few new apps worth checking out.  I wasn't much help to her, other than relieving some of the boredom for a few minutes. Our younger niece is expecting her first child soon, so with our son, daughter-in-law, and Baby A in attendance too (our next grandchild!)  it was wonderful to anticipate new life in the family.  A new year of little miracles - abundant joy found in baby toes and innocent smiles.

We managed to see some relatives that I hadn't seen in years.  So long in fact, that Hubby needed introductions, and we've been married almost 35 years!  We are still in the process of making memories with the family of my birth.  Each time we see each other we become more comfortable.  I think we've accomplished family status versus "getting to know you" status now.  Even though we were separated for almost 50 years, and there aren't many memories shared by any of us, it is evident that we are family and love wins!

Gratitude for:
-Modern modes of transportation
- Roots (even the not so pretty ones!)
- Memories in the making
- Home....both far and near.