Letter To Home

Dear House:

I remember laying eyes on you for the first time.

Peering through the windows.

Impressed with the spacious kitchen;

And the enormous old elm tree.

And I thought, "Maybe this is the place for us . . . "

Ten years later, it turns out you far surpassed that 'maybe.'

And in our present circumstances, as we set about giving you a facelift,

I'm kind of thinking you've suffered a bit at our hands.

And beneath our feet.

You allowed my family and friends access to every square inch of you.

A tiny tornado took care of the aged backyard elm.

I was every bit as saddened as you.

As a place of light and sun and fun . . .

. . . the kitchen has reigned supreme as THE gathering place.

Thank you for the countless hours I've spent in it with my favorite peeps.
So-o-o much coffee and cooking and cracking up.

It's taken a good beating for all it's provided to humans and animals alike.

Lately, more of an emphasis on ANIMALS.

As you would expect, we LIVED out many a moment in your living room.

MANY-Y-Y a moment!

And the pockets of pretty have brought me comfort.

Though parking CARS in your garage has been problematic,

fitting a 4-piece band in proved a cinch!

You EARNED your mortgage payment here, my friend!

I'm fairly confident you're a Denver fan.

(At least you dress like you are.)

It was gracious of you to allow my husband to wreak havoc on the walls.

The walls of his music man cave, that is.

And you've reminded me about this fan more times than I care to recall!

SORRY!

At least I exercised good judgement here . . . 

I didn't allow REAL darts in Zachary's room.

You're welcome!

I'm never lost inside your familiar halls.

And though I've been the reluctant lady of my suburban castle,

my respect and affection for your functionality has grown with every year.

Even your wear and tear is rather pretty.

You've aged naturally.

For more than 3,650 nights, you've pushed back the shadows.

Sparrows, starlings, chickadees, wrens, cardinals and jays.

They brag to their friends of the buffet on Marilyn Court.

I promise to address this neglect.

A-a-a-a-and, this is my next 'warm day' project.

Really it is.

I bought the stripping head for my drill last week!

I've tried to maintain air quality for you.

The duct cleaner will be here next month.

Hang in there!

Without you to turn to for comfort and solitude,

my family and I would not have healed nearly as well as we have.

As you know, 

in 20 days I'll celebrate my 25th wedding anniversary.

I love my husband for myriad little things.

And it is the same with you, dear family home.

You are a colorful sort.

Behind your doors, precious lives and their artifacts are stored.

Each and every thing has a place to stay.

And often you wait patiently for me to recollect exactly WHERE those places are.

(Fortunately, in this case, you didn't have to wait . . . 

weren't you just a tiny bit impressed?)

After a decade, you still surprise me with new perspectives.

You provided me with a lovely playground!

(I realize the dogs have sullied it to a degree.)

I'm painfully aware of my undone TO-DO project list.

Perhaps I'll let the bench and bricks find new homes?

Would you prefer that?

I'm listening to you.

  You have witnesses.

Really, what I'm trying to say . . . 

(and saying rather clumsily)

. . . is that if we DO have to find another family for you:

I hope they will enjoy your every nook and cranny.

Right down to the last crumb and dust mote.

I pray they will take the time . . . 

. . . to stop and admire the hydrangeas.

 And to peek across the fence to meet their wonderful neighbors.

But until then, I'll just keep on inching forward.

Touching up that which is already so very beautiful and blessed.

And I won't rest . . . 

(okay, I WILL rest, but not perpetually)

. . . until I wrestle every last FIX-IT to the carpet!

Because each time the western sky displays day's surrender to night,

I'm reminded of how very much you have loved on us.

And how very much I LOVE YOU.

Ever So Sincerely,

You're Reluctant Suburbanite

(Whose life is presently as sideways as this photo!)

XOXOXO