I have lived in many homes. Big homes, little homes, fancy homes, simple homes, new homes, old homes but always felt something missing in each one. When William and I moved back here I felt I had found what I had been missing. This home wasn't built to be a home. It was built in the 1940's at Ft Bragg to be used however the army needed it. In the 1960's the army sold it and it was moved to the property here. And it was still many things before it was a home. It was a haybarn and a place where rock bands practiced before a man and his wife turned it into a 3 bedroom home and sold it to William. He and his family lived here in between times he wasn't stationed in Alaska, Oklahoma among other army bases. It was rented out and trashed. Then it stood empty for years and had very very bad water damage. When we moved back here I found what I had been missing all my life. A home that seemed to wrap its heart around me and fill my soul with love and contentment. Where William saw water damaged ceilings and walls, I saw tile ceilings, and warm colored walls. Where William saw damaged floors and a trashed house I saw hardwood floors with old fashioned comfortable furniture, braided rugs, and lamps everywhere. The house could see the things I saw and welcomed me home with open arms. Our home seems to smile when its insides are filled with the aroma of freshly baked bread or a big pot of vegetable soup bubbling on the back of the wood stove. I smile when I see the shelves filled with canned vegetables from our gardens and jars of homemade jams and jellies. To me our home seems to give us enjoyment, contentment and love. Our home isn't way out in the country nor is it very big, but it has everything I have been searching for. I can stand on the front porch and watch the woodpeckers, finches, bluejays,robins, cardinals,wrens and many others gathering around the birdfeeders and birdbaths. I can sit on the back porch and listen to the screech owls, whipperwhills and all the other country night sounds while watching the stars. I love the long dirt lane you have to drive down to get to our home. I love the big oak trees that shade our home. I love having woods around us and watching the squirrels, opossums and fox. I love each new season that comes to our home. Its not just a place to repair and decorate. Its a home where every day brings a sense of peace in your heart. There is always repairs and decorating to do but this home has given us the desire to do these. It has given us that dream we both seemed to be searching for all these years.. Cutting, splitting and stacking wood is backbreaking but important in keeping us warm through the winter. Gardening and taking care of the animals that provide us with eggs, milk and cheese is sometimes tiring work but important too. Most days are filled with hard work but when the winter winds start to blow and we are snug in our home by the cozy fire, we are content. We are so blessed to have a home embrace us with love and fulfill our dreams. William and I both agree, its a good home and we love it!
11 comments:
What a tribute. I'm glad you and your husband are so happy with your home. At the same time though, you have put a lot of time and effort into making it home and so you deserve the blessings you are reaping!
Hey Peggy,
Some people were worried about you on the Homestead board - http://forums.homestead.org/forum_posts.asp?TID=4809&PN=4 but we noticed you're still blogging so hope you're fine, we just miss you there! Also, I've sent you a PM. :)
As usual, your blog is sweet and wonderful... keep up the good work!
Sabrina
This is an awesome post. Thank you for sharing! It's exactly how I feel about my home, but I've never put it into words.
You post actually made me tear up. That is what I have been wanting for a long time. We have been married for only 4 1/2 years, but are preparing for our 4th move. I long to have place where we can stay for a long time, but it is just not feasible at this point. I thank you for this post. It was truly an enjoyment.
What a great post!!!! I know just what you mean. We have not found that place yet that is home. I thought my last house was and could have stayed there, but circumstances caused us to have to move. I am thrilled for you that you are so thankful and grateful and content there. Godliness with contentment is great gain. I Tim. 6:6
This is a beautiful post and so timely for me as I was thinking just the other day about how much I love my house. It's a simpler house. Solid lathe and plaster. Built in 1906 with just one bathroom and oh so small by today's standards. Somedays I think it would be nice to have maybe another bathroom, or a couple of more rooms, but I look out the front windows at elm and maple trees that are over 100 years old. I too watch the birds and the squirrels...city creatures, but we occasionally see Eagles overhead, hawks and now and then even a heron. I hink about my son having grown up in this house, My husband only works 5 minutes away. He's always able to make it home in time for school events, athletic events and dinner with my son. He came home for lunch too, before our child started school. Everyday. Our house is paid for. It may not be the fanciest, or the biggest and lots of folks have wondered why we've not "moved up". It is so hard to explain that this house represents freedom to me. Freedom from debt,which as alllowed us a chance to explore other aspects of our lives, but most especially, the ability to have stayed home and raised my son without the many financial worries I hear so many others discuss when talking about doing so. So much of life is about how we use our resources to create a life, not about leaving a bunch of "stuff" behind.
Oh to live in a home like yours!! Just a dream I would say! I love your write up..coming from you heart as always, Miss Peggy!! I desire a place like that but then again I am just thankful for a home...a place that we can have to be in and to have as our own as long as we can...Sandy
You loved the house at first sight and it loved you back:-) You've turned it into a loving home for you and your family...the years of it being used for a variety of things and then abandoned is now a thing of the past. It sounds so cozy inside and how I'd love to be able to sit at your table and have a bowl of that soup and fresh bread with you:-)
So many search for "homes" all their lives. I am so happy you have yours. It sounds absolutely perfect! And, I know it is. xoxo
Hi Peggy I love your home nestled among the trees Thank you for sharing your story.I know how you feel We had a big new home in the city but when we moved to the country bought a beautiful old weatherboard 100 year old and renovated it and now call it home.
I'm so glad to find your blog. What a lovely story!
It's a special gift to be able to see what a house could become.
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