On Going "Home"

I went "home" on Friday afternoon. An invitation was extended, I was available, and I am still in need of healing, so I went. (photos from my years past collection)

It's been five years since Jon and Sarah moved into the little gray house. She greeted me warmly, gave me a hug, and took me on a tour. Once upon a time I called the place "home." It sheltered my family and me, gathered us into its warmth on cold winter days, held us when we were hurting, and kept watchful eyes while we slept. There were gatherings of friends and family in the yard for summer picnics, birthday parties and holiday celebrations inside when the weather wasn't agreeable. It was a beautiful place to call "home," mostly...

I stepped into rooms I thought I would never see again...  The kitchen, the living room, my mother's room, even the bedrooms. They were all familiar in a strange kind of way. I took it in and smiled. Although I hadn't met Sarah before this summer, we have known Jon in one capacity or another for about 15 years. We talked about my kids, who know Jon from a previous church fellowship, and I felt myself get teary. Two of my boys have already visited the farm since James sold it. It is quite obvious that Jon, who is between my two youngest children in age, cares very much for them. It's part of what made me feel emotional.

Sarah was eager to show me the animals. I'd already met the four dogs who live inside the house and are like their children. Underneath Barn 3, where Jon and his brother poured a concrete floor, was a sow and several piglets, and another sow who will also soon give birth. In and around the little concrete building that long ago housed seasonal orchard workers, was a wonderful menagerie of pets; donkeys, sheep, goats, pot bellied pigs, and a castrated bull calf Jon rescued. There were ducks, chickens, and a turkey as well. I was told they have barn cats (the Naughties would have been thrilled to stay on the farm) and also rabbits, which I did not see. (I might have forgotten something but I can't think of what it might be.) Jon and Sarah do not have children of their own, but the child of a friend was there soaking in all the love and attention she could.

It was an interesting afternoon. I found a piece of healing that isn't yet complete, but I think it can be. I'm looking forward to another visit some day.