Hi Friends!
I’m still dipping my toe into this blog adventure. I thought
I would have time to work on it by now, but it seemed that even January was
busy. So… on we go with hopes of more attention to blogging as the year progresses.
The theme for January is: Home is Where the Heart Is
I received some family pictures recently, and I almost held
my breath as I looked through them. More family members have died and I miss
them all. I’d forgotten some of the gatherings, the funny clothes, the loss of
hair. The gathering that was both wonderful and awful, yet we all managed a
smile for the picture. The innocence and beauty in young faces. But what surprised
me, made me gasp, was an unexpected picture of the home I grew up in. Oh, how I loved it.
It was a true home to me. We gathered in the kitchen or
around the table, we loved each other the best we could, we shared wonderful
food, we prayed. Daddy traveled so Mama was in charge, and she ran a tight
ship. Not always a happy ship, but aimed in a good direction. We knew what was
expected of us.
Home is where everything begins, a place warmth and
sustenance, challenge and solace. In our home we had wonderful meals together,
many around the table, lots of laughter. My husband and I have tried to pass
those good traditions along, adding to them. We still make Mama’s oatmeal
macaroons and anise cookies. Meatballs on Christmas Eve. We added homemade
chicken soup to the tradition, and when my son asked me to bring some to him at
college, it warmed my heart.
A strong faith tradition runs through our families, and we
continue the practice of grace before meals. Our grandchildren now lead us:
Come, Lord Jesus
Be our guest
Let these gifts
To us be blessed
Amen.
These gatherings, places and traditions remain almost sacred
to us. I feel they are somehow reflections of goodness, of heaven on earth, of
God. The older I grow, the more
important it seems to examine my origins, searching for anything that was good.
Home is a place that can be holy, a place that calls us to be nourished and
renewed. When I listen, I find that the call
is still strong and sweet.
Psalm 42:1 As the
deer pants for water, so my heart pants for you, my God.
