October 24, 2010

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.


5 comments:

  1. Yeah for the new baby!! I'm so happy for you! You are beautiful and so will your baby be too! Love ya hope things are going good!

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  2. Thank you for your sweet comment on my blog! I was so thrilled to come on your blog and see you finally updated.... IT WAS ABOUT TIME! Haha. Congratulations on BABY PUGMIRE!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't wait to find out what you are having.

    It really would be a dream come true to live abroad with you guys. If we can all convince you to come along with us that would be amazing. Or we can follow you guys. Either way :) It would definitely making living abroad a lot more enjoyable having some close friends there too.

    Ok one last thing... I loved reading your announcement post. You write so beautifully. You are going to be such a wonderful mother (and BJ a rad father). That little babe is very very lucky.

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  3. Thanks Dayna. You are great. I miss our soccer game chats.
    And by the way, I was hanging out with two other couples this weekend and both the girls started talking about your blog and how they love to read it. They don't know either of you guys in real life- but they feel like they know everything about your life nonetheless. Internet stalking is the best isn't it? Much love,
    Ellery

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  4. Your comments truly inspire me to create such a warm and delicious environment for my sweet little darlings. I hope that my children will look back at my home and have good memories and warm hearts.

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  5. Thanks for that, Elle. I haven't cried about home for a long time, but the second I looked at that first picture of Mom's fireplace, my eyes burned. I love how you so eloquantly put all of my feelings into words. That is exactly what I picture when I think of home. Every time it snows or rains, that is the place I want to be because it is the warmest, coziest place on earth. Thankfully, our new house is slowly becoming that place for me too. I can't wait to have you all here to make it even more so. I love you so much!

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