COMING HOME

EVERY SUNDAY AFTER CHURCH, BJ AND I QUICKLY RUN HOME TO CHANGE WITHOUT EVEN BOTHERING TO PARK THE CAR IN ITS STALL. WE LEAVE IT CLOSE BY THE CURB TO INSURE A TIMELY GET A WAY. ONCE THE SABBATH DAY CLOTHES ARE REPLACED WITH SWEATPANTS TOO CASUAL FOR ANY OTHER OCCASION, WE MAKE THE SHORT DRIVE UP TO MY PARENT'S HOUSE. LUNCH, NAPS, AND OUR WEEKLY DOSE OF TV WATCHING IS ENJOYED HERE UNTIL IT'S TIME TO HELP WITH DINNER.

TODAY DIDN'T LOOK LIKE A REGULAR SUNDAY. WE GAZED THROUGH THE FOYER WINDOWS IN BETWEEN EACH OF THE HOUR BLOCKS TODAY AND SAW THE SAME THING EVERY TIME. RAIN.

AND NOW WHEN I LOOK OUT THE WINDOWS OF MY PARENT'S KITCHEN, I SEE THE SAME THING. MORE RAIN. BUT UP HERE- THAT RAIN IS APPRECIATED.

BECAUSE YOU SEE, AT MY PARENT'S HOUSE, THERE ARE THREE FIREPLACES.

ONE OF WHICH IS ALWAYS AGLOW IN THE WINTER MONTHS.

THERE ARE HALLOWEEN DECORATIONS THAT REMIND ME OF MY CHILDHOOD:

WATCHING HOCUS POCUS EVERY HALLOWEEN AT TESSA'S AS A PRE-TRICK-OR-TREATING RITUAL, CLAM CHOWDER COOKING ON THE STOVE AND FLUFFY ORANGE BREADBOWLS AWAITING THE CREAMY SLOSH OF SOUP, HALLE'S BIRTHDAY FESTIVITIES, HOMEMADE CARAMEL FOR APPLE DIPPING, FALL LEAVES OUTSIDE, AND THAT SUDDEN DROP IN TEMPERATURE THAT LENDS A VERY FITTING CHILL TO HALLOWEEN EVENING.

I REMEMBER THE HALLOWEEN IN EIGHTH GRADE WHEN A BOY THREW UP ON THE BUS ON THE WAY HOME FROM SCHOOL. I STILL REMEMBER CHILDREN LINED DOWN EACH SIDE OF THE BUS- HEADS HANGING OUT THE HORIZONTALLY HALF OPENED WINDOWS GULPING IN THE FRESH, NON-PUKE SMELLING AIR.

I REMEMBER SCONES HANDED OUT IN THE RIVER BOTTOMS, AND STEPHANIE BEING THE ONLY ONE OF OUR FRIENDS WHO EVER WORE HER COSTUME TO SCHOOL.

I REMEMBER HAUNTED HOUSES AND MY INSISTENT MOM FORCING ME TO COVER MY HALLOWEEN COSTUME WITH A WINTER COAT.

AND AS I'M UP HERE THIS CHILLY SUNDAY AFTERNOON, THE NOSTALGIA OF THE SEASON LAPS OVER ME AGAIN AND AGAIN. I SEE THE RAIN POUNDING ENDLESSLY DOWNWARD, DRENCHING THE GOLD FIRE LEAVES, AND YET, I FEEL INSANELY, AND PERFECTLY WARM.

WHEN I LOOK OUT THE WINDOW I'M AMAZED THAT ALMOST EVERY MEMORY IN MY LIFE UP TO THIS POINT WAS MADE WITH THIS HOME AS THE NUCLEUS.

AND HOW GLAD I AM THAT I CONTINUE TO RETURN HOME,

EVERY SUNDAY.