Home Again

Took a drive back to my childhood today.  I grew up just south of Atlanta in a beautiful, 1920's era, two story brick palace.  Actually, it's only around 3000 sq feet but to me it was a palace.  Until I left for College it was the only home I knew.  Momma& Daddybought the place just before I was born and I've loved it all my life.  My room was my sanctuary, my Disney land, my stage and my playhouse.  I danced with more princes, sang for millions of people, took Barbie on camping adventures, burned cakes in my easy bake and practiced cheerleading.  I dressed for my first prom in that room, wrote endless entries in my journals, sewed countless dresses on my sewing machine and played in my mommas wedding dress.  My life was wonderful there.  Every room holds an amazing memory, from the paint on the walls to the basement door that has my brothers and my height measurements.  Yes, there is a growth chart on that door that spans over 40 years.  My children are even measured there.  It is totally priceless.  My heritage is rich in that house.  It sheltered many families in a time of need.  One family in particular was hanging out in the living room (husband reading the paper, wife reading a book and kids watching tv) when a date came to pick me up.  my date, not knowing that they were living with us at that time, asked rather shocked, confused and surprised, "Do the Wieses still live here?"  My folks were just like that.  If they saw a need, they jumped in to try and meet it.  Thus my home was everything from a football training spa (where if a specific player was over his weight limit could be treated to super hot baths, lots of water tonics, a free hair cut and celery dinners.  He might not win any beauty contests but he sure met the weigh in limits for the big game on Saturday.) to Bible study central, from a roller rink in the basement to a pool hustlers hangout, from a crafters best dream to a corkball championship arena.
It was just an amazing place to be.  In a time of global unrest, economic uncertainty and change for the sake of change it was wonderful to just sit in my mommas old bedroom and look around at my life.  The blessing of history and the knowledge of love.  Because its not the walls that made that home it was George and Judy who made it.   It was 2 older brothers and a bratty little sister that slept upstairs It was dozens of cats and dogs, ducks and hamsters.  No, more than that, it was Love.  By the way that is my politically correct way to say to was God.  Because in my home, God is love.  The old tapestry of The Last Supper still hangs in the dining room and a plaque proclaims to all who enter that "As for me and my house, we will serve The Lord".
My trip home today was therpudic, it was comforting and enlightening all at the same time.  Sometimes there is nothing better for you than to breath in that essence of Home.