On this day, after quite a bit of work in the yard we were hot, sticky and a bit bothered. I thought a drive in the air conditioned car, to get another can of paint might be the kind of rest we needed.
At Home depot the boys were really pretty awesome. They stayed close, watched the gentleman mix the paint, played a bit on the tractors and helped be pick out a few more seeds for the garden. I was pretty pleased until check out time. They wanted every flashlight, Cheeto, and candy in the isle. I have learned to choose my battles and the little chaps were hungry and we walked away with a small can of pringles for each boy.
Knowing Papa had just cleaned the interior of the car we sought shelter to eat said treat. We were on a black top island, in the heat, standing beside a hot car. Then my eldest said, "Can we go hang out in one of the little sheds where it is cool and shady to eat?" They were not what we expected. Shade yes, but hot and void of air. We walked to the end of the row and to our great satisfaction the play fort had a little picnic table below just for us.
We sat at the table and devoured pringles silently.
I began to think of shelter. Just a few pieces of wood above us and a sweet little table brought us much peace.
I instantly felt humbled by the simplicity.
The constant turmoil I put my self through was evaluated.
How much is enough.
I cannot begin to describe how my mind works to improve our shelter. I draw sketches, rearrange furniture, create plans for the yard, and paint. I spend a great deal of time wanting to change our home and even more perusing listings on new homes, and yet what we have is enough.
We spent a weekend at my parents new home. My sister made a comment that it is strange being in a new home with most of the same furniture and pictures of our childhood. I agreed. It is home in a different place.
When we left my hometown my boys asked if I could please drive by Grandma and Grandpa's old house. I drove past the front and then through the alley in the back and we slowly took it in. I am sure we each had different memories flow through us. I guarantee they were good ones. And those memories are so special.
It is probably why the saying "HOME is Where the Heart is" remains popular.
A roof, food, family, and love is a Home. Way more than a temporary shelter.
