Homes

I have lived in many, many, many places in my seven plus decades on planet earth. A few of them I hold more dearly in my thoughts than others. My home growing up in Wellston is, of course, a favorite. Grandma lived behind us, Ziff cousins just up the street, lots of friends, church just up the street, a neighborhood in every sense of the word. It was there I became attached to iris, cats, sycamore trees, bleeding hearts--all of which I still love today. Our neighbors--the Safleys?--had even more iris than we did. They had a huge yard filled with them. I've often imagined sneaking back into the neighborhood to see if fifty years later some of those iris are still blooming in that empty lot--which is all it was last time I was there. Insanity, eh?
I also loved the garage turned home where we lived in Bainbridge, Georgia. Pond out back for catching supper--deep fried brim, fries, hush puppies. Brad was born when we lived there. Gene and Barbara were good to us. I would love to transport that place up here to The Acres and substitute it for the cave. I'd have to throw tons of things away--which would be marvelous!!! Brad has a picture of Mom and Dad and baby Brad standing outside that home.
Our home in Traveler's Rest, South Carolina, was a marvelous home as well. I wonder if I could rename Cardington Traveler's Rest? It was right after Susan left us, and the boys and I made it a home. Yard and woods to play and get lost in. Brad and Ben surviving Dad's cooking. Wabasaki. Random "I wonder where that road goes" excursions. Putt-Putt. Gran and Pop stopping by. Chinese ninja movies and wrestling on TV. (True confession) Cats. Fish tanks. Aunt Chloe and Uncle Larry helping out. The house--home--was in essence a gift from my sister Janice and her husband Dewey. They let us live there for practically nothing. A gift for a lifetime. Traveler's Rest will always have a special place in my heart. The road the house was on was kind of isolated as well--imagine me liking such a place.
And, of course, now, The Acres. Lord willing, my last home before I go Home. Lord willing. So much beauty in this gift the Lord has given me in my old age. Time spent with Mom here enjoying the beauty with me. The beauty of quiet. The beauty of solitude. The perfect property to grow flowers and trees of every imaginable kind--sycamores, iris, and bleeding hearts included, of course. The beauty of my daily walks alone but in conversation with Him. Hymns echoing though my brain all the way down to my heart. Gardening Angels. 
Work. Struggles with the curse--beautiful too in their way. The Boss. My soul is at peace here at The Acres.
The "travels" of life. The gift of memories--marvelous times and broken-hearted times. Different gifts of beauty in different places. Movable homes. His presence always there--palpable. He has gone before to prepare the way. Walked with me every day. Shown such grace and mercy in all things. Met every need--and many wants. And the final Home will be just as immersed in His riches--even more so. Day by day we journey Home. Closer Home each day! Father has built a room on His house just for me. And no doubt, the new earth will have sycamores, iris, bleeding hearts, and maybe even cats. =) And prayerfully all the people I have loved.