Saturday, April 9, 2011

H is for Home

Home has meant a lot of different things to me over the years. I was born in Chicago. I grew up on a farm in east central Illinois, just west of Champaign-Urbana. Oklahoma City was my home for one year before I returned to Illinois.

In 1969 I moved to Muncie, Indiana, and that's where my kids spent most of their school years. I lived there for sixteen years.

That two amazing years in the South of France came next. Then eleven years in South Florida. And now, retirement from real-world work and a new home in Northern Colorado.

All of these places were home at one time, but I've fallen in love with the climate and beauty of Colorado. My husband and I enjoy change of seasons and we even like snow as long as it doesn't stick around too long, so Colorado suits us better than Florida. Neither one of us would choose to return to our Illinois roots. Midwest weather is more violent and there are too many gray, dreary days.

It's said that home is where the heart is. I believe that, but I think the heart gets a lot of encouragement from the environment. My week in Illinois has left me sunshine-deprived and over-humidified. It's good to be home.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Pat - I know what you mean about the way that environment and sentiment combine when we think of "home." I can completely understand why the Colorado weather and scenery appeal to you so much. I haven't traveled through the whole state, but what I've seen of it is gorgeous. I'm happy for you that the place you now call home is such a good "fit" for you.

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

Home is where the heart is Patricia,
Wonderful post,
Have a great week-end.
Yvonne.

Mason Canyon said...

Great post. Home is where the heart is. Have a wonderful weekend.

Mason
Thoughts in Progress

エイプリル said...

Really nice post! Seems like lots of people who move to colorado say that they would live no where else, that they've "arrived home". It's a beautiful place, for sure.

Mary@GigglesandGuns said...

Wonderful to learn about your final choice (so far). Home is where the love is strong and for me that's Ohio. (They tell me the sun will be out by May. lol)

Grammy said...

Hi, I am learning to be at home in Texas, but my heart is still quite often in Tennessee. They say that most Texans are just transplanted Tennesseeans. Ha. I did my post on home and house today, too. Thanks for visiting me often. Ruby

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Home is indeed where the heart is. I grew up in Oregon, but it is no longer home.

kjmckendry said...

It is sooooo gray and dreary here in Ohio!

Gregg Metcalf said...

We are looking for some place to move to now. I was born in Ohio, spent 66-84 in California, 6 years in Reno, NV and 22 years in Washington. We won't out of the damp and the rain. 46 inches a year is sending us running. Running to where, we don't know yet, some place warm and dry.

Gregg Metcalf
Colossians 1:28-29

Gospel-driven Disciples

Jan Morrison said...

I spent the day today with a fella I work with and oddly he and I both lived in Colorado Springs. He grew up there though, I was only there for three years (grades 6-8). When I think of my childhood home it is a station wagon. We moved a lot....
Jan Morrison

Raquel Byrnes said...

Wow. What a journey! I love your picture.
Edge of Your Seat Romance

Gabriela Lessa said...

Glad you found your home! Judging from the picture, it's wonderful...