Flowers in California

Flowers in California

Friday, April 23, 2010

Home

While out in the city this week, I enjoyed looking at many houses and condos but one house in particular caught my eye. It was not the nicest or biggest but I found it interesting. Surrounded by trees, it looked looked it was trying to put up a wall between it and the world around it. I can see why. It's on a corner lot, at the bottom of a hill, across from a transit station and near a very busy road. Its need for walls is apparent.

While that house has more reason than some to put up barriers, I'm struck by the idea that all homes are somewhat like it. The residents try to have a place where they can stake their claim and feel protected from the world. In whatever size or style around the world, and whether owned or rented, people want and need some kind of home. And what a treasure it is to have one.

I remember seeing a woman on tv sweeping her little hut somewhere. She had pride in it. I think of that sometimes as I try to keep my house clean.

As I try to convey what I am feeling (and I'm having some trouble) I feel a sense of gratitude or reverence or something for my home. It's not big and I can find many things I'd like to change but I think that appreciation for it is in order. It is home and I should honour it and do my best to keep it clean and ready to share with others.

Our homes are not fortresses; we can try to stake our claim but security is always somewhat of an illusion. But, in this life where nothing is ever guaranteed, our homes provide a place where we can live and gather and grow and rest. I'm grateful for my home.

JAHD


JAHD

2 comments:

  1. I always think I need to take pride in my home because I spend so much time in it - it should be filled with things (artwork etc) that I love...but that's expensive, and then you have to dust it. So then I don't do it...but I get what you mean about gratitude regarding your little place of Earth you own. I feel a lot of things that I don't ever do anything about :-(

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  2. I may be starting to treat my house better. Yes, our homes are our little places on Earth. Pretty special.
    Thanks Kim.
    JAHD

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