Going Home

Over the holidays I had the opportunity to go home to see my parents, brother and sister and their families. It was an excellent visit and opportunity to be together (even if one of my teeth did flare up on me). We had lots of good food, enjoyed talking about old times and got acquainted with our new niece and nephews.

I hadn't been home in about five years and it seemed like longer. The last time I was home, my brother's little boy was just a baby. Now he's almost ready for pre-school. In that five year period, my brother's second son and daughter were born. It was surely fun to watch the little boys wrestle their cousin (my son) with near endless determination. My son's comment at one point was "Hey Dad, you know those little guys are tiny but they can sure tire you out!". That made me think back to not so many days ago when my son too was their size and accustomed to wrestling me at every opportunity and repeatedly.

It was nice to get to be with my parents again. I have missed them very much. Sure, we talk now and then by phone and we email of course but it isn't quite the same as being home again and being able to exchange a hug or two. That got me to thinking about "home" and what it really is.

There is a feeling of great contentment associated with being in my parents home. My mother has done an excellent job in decorating their abode. It is filled with many things some of which trigger memories from my earliest childhood. Of course, it isn't the particular physical house within which they currently reside that creates this feeling of "home". My parents have owned several houses over the years. Rather, it is that sense of being with your Mother and Father - that feeling of safety, calm, peace and contentment from being with them.

When I was a child, I had no responsibilities in life - at least no serious ones. My whole existence and sense of well being was predicated upon the protection and nurturing that my parents provided for me. We would take family vacations and I would fall peacefully asleep in the car secure in the knowledge that my father was so very capably and safely in charge of our vehicle's course of travel. I didn't have to worry about other drivers, road hazards, adverse weather or the overwhelming desire to fall asleep because my Dad was in control and I had absolute confidence in him and his abilities.

As I grew into an adult, I came to understand more of what it means to be a person with responsibilities. My own children came along and I hope they felt the same security in knowing that I was providing for their safety and well being. They could fall asleep in the car or enjoy a warm house in a cold winter because I was taking care of the things that required attention. Hopefully even today when my college kids come home, they feel like they are "home" - safe and protected.

Our parents do so many things for us - some of which we never really understand nor appreciate until we ourselves become parents and must do the same things for our own children.

So, as I visited with my parents, many of those old thoughts came back to me. Yes, I am now an adult and yes, I now realize many of the things with which they had to deal in order to provide that sense of safety and comfort for me and my siblings when we were younger, but I think no matter how old you grow or responsible for your own life you become, the sense of home and comfort that you have when you are a child, continues on into your adult years and is a blessing you can still enjoy when you visit with your parents. You know how much they have sacrificed in life for you. You know how hard they have labored to provide for you. You know how they have vigilantly guarded your safety in so far as it has been within their control.

Put it all together and it spells quite simply
- L-O-V-E.

That is the real essence of being "home" and spending time with our parents. You feel their love once again. A love that has been there since the first day you drew a breath. A love that was there as you accomplished each great step in your life such as saying one of their names for the first time, riding that first bike or graduating from high school or college. It is a love that nurtures you through good times and bad but most importantly is a a love that says - I love you and I am here for you so long as God is willing.

It is truly a great blessing to have our parents in our lives. The gift of being able to go "home" is one of God's greatest blessings.