It is cloudy and a bit overcast here in Oklahoma today. The wind is whipping around outside causing me to question the honesty of the thermometer found just to the right of my backdoor. I started a fire in our fireplace and put on a pot of water for tea. Chamomile will have to do today as I sipped the last of my favorite, Raspberry, on Saturday.I dreamed often as a child of living in a two story house. My heart first conceived the notion that it might even be possible when I first fell in love with one built in Brea, California. The new addition was called “Aero Vista Homes” and in that neighborhood was a house that proved to be everything my little 11 year old self could have ever wanted.
Last December found me once again in my birth state for my Grandmother's Memorial Service. It had been thirty-five years since I'd been in California during the celebration of Christmas and I'd forgotten much about the warm west-coast winters. I quietly wondered, probably for the gazillionth time, why my father insisted on moving us away in the summer of ‘74. Now that the reason for my visit had come and gone, I welcomed a couple of days in which I could rest and sit for a spell with some lifelong friends.
I lunched that following Wednesday with my precious girlfriend, Tanza, in of all places, Brea. I had such a lovely time and she chased away much of my blues with her positive outlook and giving spirit. It was tough saying goodbye. As I backed out from the driveway I couldn’t help but wonder when it would be I would see her again, mingle memories, melt pain…
Before heading back to my brother’s home, I was determined to find the neighborhood which included the house that had so long consumed my affections. I drove for only a short distance when familiar landscape pulled me in. The house was so much smaller than I'd remembered, and not nearly as lovely as my mind had believed it to be. I stood there for a second, taking in the sight of what had once been the focus my every childhood prayer. It was a pretty house, a very pretty house! But strangely, for the first time since I was a kid, I no longer wanted it…
While on the plane that flew me back to Oklahoma,I knew I was returning to the place I was meant to be. I was being willed back to the place in which I had raised my family and shared so many happy memories. I was returning once again to the place which had sheltered me in times of grief and protected me from raging storms. Back again to my “Chaumière de Briarwood”. Back once more to the daily reminder of God's faithfulness and goodness and to the answered prayer of a little child~ my beautiful two-story home…
Blessings…Rebecca
2 comments:
I remember going to that house and the hope...and mom's dreams. I read another memoir today about home - the blog Melindaville. Google it!
Oh my gosh sweet friend of mine..What a wonderful surprise, to see our faces together.. You are so special to me, and God has truly blessed me with a friend like you.. We are soo much alike, and Love the same things.. Anything fluffy, girly, and pink.. a true kindred spirit together..We have so much fun together.. Shopping, eating, and just hanging out together..Isn't it funny, how in one afternoon,of chatting,we can solve the world's problems and mend our hearts as well.. That's what friends are for, and I'm so BLESSED to have you in my life, Mr. Steve too.. He's the BeST,cuz he puts up with us, and goes wherever we choose to go.. What a honey he is.. Just know I so Love and adore you, and count you as a special part of my life.. I just so wish I could do half of what you are soo blessed to do.. You make everything so Beautiful.. and sugary pink.. and creamy cottagey white..the BeSt out there.. Your # 1 fan...Blessings,and big, big hugs to you... ~t~xo
Post a Comment