Being Home

It seems to be typical that as people age, they become more attached to their "things",  or more specifically,  their home environments.  It is not really about the material possessions.  Rather it is more about a sense of being rooted, belonging, being part of the earth in this spot.

The young still want to see the world and conquer it. The older, having already done that to the extent they probably ever will, prefer to exert influence and care in the little corner of the world where they reside.

I do not feel defined by the things around me, but I do feel comforted, nurtured.  As the world becomes increasingly strange and unfamiliar, the familiar takes on a greater place of prominence in one's life. I still have not mastered my smart phone, but I know all the nooks and crannies of my kitchen!

When we bought this house eight years ago, we thought everything was perfect.  Still, we have made constant changes and upgrades since day one.  That is the way one makes it "home", by imprinting it with one's own style and energy and sweat.  When one buys a house in their retirement, one never knows how long you may get to live in it.  At the time, I said that I hope we get ten years!   And I do believe we will indeed get that!  And hopefully many more!

Last year we removed and replaced many of the shrubbery out front.  You get to the point when you do not want to stand on a ten foot ladder in order to trim a bush which has grown too large.  We greatly prefer the smaller shrubs and the openness.

The red maple trees have grown so much larger.  It is hard to remember how small they were in the beginning.   Like with your children!

2008 Early Spring

Late Summer 2015