Home - 5 Minute Friday Writing

Today I am joining Lisa-Jo and others for the 5 Minute Friday where we are given a word prompt and write for just 5 minutes simply for the joy of writing. No editing or backtracking necessary. No need to be perfect. Just words freely flowing from my heart to yours. I have not done this before but it sounds fun, so here we go. The word that everyone is writing on today is....HOME.

Years ago I designed and cross-stitched a wall hanging based on the familiar saying that "Home is where your heart is". It has decorated three homes since being created. 

I think that if I were to re-design it today it would read...."Home is where your family is", which basically means the same thing doesn't it? Our jobs come and go, our churches change, our friendships morph into something different as time passes, but our family is the heartbeat of home.

As a young parent I absolutely loved the special occasions when my grown-up siblings and I would gather at our childhood home with our kids and spouses. The talk began with current jobs, schools and updates on kid's accomplishments. But later after eating our fill and laughing at old photos or movies, the conversation always ended up with stories of our childhood, old friends and silly traditions. 

Why was it so fun and nourishing to repeat old stories again and again? I don't know. But I remember the warmth and deep contentment I felt as we were sprawled around Mom and Dad's living room.

Now, I get to be the oldest generation at the gatherings, and my new favorite activity is listening to my grown-up sons and their ladies share repeated stories that make them laugh. I often learn a little more about my family with each telling. Even though the stories are already known, I get to hear the experience from a new perspective. 


No matter where we may be living at this time next year, "home" will be where ever I am able to gather with my kids, talking about old memories and making new ones.




Pin It Like this? Don't forget to SHARE...