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Home

I have a dear friend who recently moved away from her home. The home she lived in for most of her adult life. A home where she and her husband created a family. A home where she raised her children. A home where she watched her grandchildren laugh and play. Where weddings were held and birthdays were celebrated. A home where joy and happiness reigned supreme.

One day she called to tell me about a dream.  She was in a boat without a paddle and was being carried down a fast moving  river. Surrounded on all sides by a stone walls. She was frightened but curious. Her thoughts as she was waking was how would she survive the rapids that were fast approaching. 

You see the rapids had already approached her in real life. Her husband had been battling a life changing challenge. His health, their livelihood, their existence as they had known it lay in the balance.  One day while driving home from treatment they found themselves stuck in traffic. Looking up they saw an odd sight. A boat sitting in the lane next to them. As the two burst into laughter they couldn't help  but see the irony. As hard as it was to contemplate it was time to climb aboard the boat and see where it would take them.

Tears and more tears were cried. Leaving their home was hard enough but moving away from the family and leaving the grandchildren was unbearable. 

Navigating their way through the move was tortuous. Finding a new home seemed impossible. And yet they found a town that is warm and welcoming. They live in a new home that is sweet and comfortable. A home that the children and grandchildren have already visited and begun to fall in love with as well. 

Many people think of a house as a home. I am sure that all of you who read this story know that a home is many things. A home is the sights and sounds of life happening. Listen carefully and you can almost hear the laughter of family and friends. 

Are those chocolate chip cookies I smell?