Homebody

I think I compared a house to a home in an earlier post. I could ask Claudia to check my previous sketches and she would probably find every mention of “house” and “home”. If I were to review every post, for which I have neither the time nor the inclination, I would probably skim over the very object of my search. A bit like my search for meaning: It is probably right there in front of me, and I cannot see it. But, back to my initial rumination regarding house and home: if I cannot remember, then you probably cannot either. So here we go.

A home is a very singular concept. The womb being no longer available, a home is the next best place to feel secure and loved and nurtured. Even if the kids are wild and noisy, or Mama ain’t happy, it is generally much preferred to the chaos outside.

I vividly remember one night when I was about seventeen. I was leaving the house into a biting cold Melbourne night, probably to meet my mates at the Tok H, our favorite pub. As I turned up my collar against the wind, I looked back and gazed for a minute or so at the warm yellow light emanating from the family room. I knew it was a happy place and I was turning away from it. I walked on, with thoughts of the family and their love for me swirling through my head. “Why don’t you stay home with us tonight,” my mom probably asked. I convinced myself I had better things to do, more important places to go.

And so it was with my kids.

The wranch is becoming a house. It started out as a clearing, then a pad, then a frame, and so on. (I have written about that before!). It is like getting to know someone. First a stranger, then a familiar face, slowly taking on a personality, and now I can say it is a friend.

The long and winding road
That leads to your door
Will never disappear
I've seen that road before
It always leads me here
Lead me to you door

The wild and windy night
That the rain washed away
Has left a pool of tears
Crying for the day
Why leave me standing here?
Let me know the way

Progress on the wranch house seemed to stall the last month or so, but suddenly things are starting to happen. Bathroom fixtures, electrical outlets, AC and emergency generator, shower grab bars – pretty soon we will have toilets!

We still have some major efforts to undertake, like sealing the concrete floor, moving in the furniture, beds and appliances, and all the outdoor landscaping. But after driving up here from Houston, it is not like running away. It is coming home.