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Ten Things of Thankful: Homecoming Edition

It's Sunday morning, and I'm relaxing on the couch with my computer on my lap. Empty boxes sit in the upstairs hallway and downstairs family room, and lean against the wall in the entryway.


Photo: View from my couch as described above.
I'm home in this not-yet-familiar house. John is here, Drexel is here, and my belonging are here (though in which box or cupboard is still anyone's guess--referring of course to the belongings; John and Drexel roam free in the house.) We still don't know which switches control which lights but, over time, we'll get the desired effect with fewer tries. In short, we're in the "unpacking and settling in" phase of moving--a phase in which what should be second nature is new and exciting.

This week's TToT theme is homecoming. 

1. I'm thankful for this house, which we plan on making our home until our knees give out and age forces a change.

It's obvious that #1 would make the list, especially given the theme, but the idea of homecoming has been popping up all over the place recently.

2. I'm thankful that the Thai soccer players were able to be rescued. I'm sure that they welcomed returning to their homes.

3. I'm thankful that more children were reunited with their parents at the border. I don't have the answers to immigration issues, but I do know that children need parents. 

4. I'm thankful that my grandchildren have both their mom and their dad at home.

5. I'm thankful that my youngest son successfully relocated from Washington to Colorado. Who knew that a Chevy Aveo had towing capability?! 

6-7.  I'm thankful that youngest daughter's path is becoming more clear to her, and that several things are lining up which will allow her to move into a location which will be a better fit for her. 

8. I'm thankful for good timing, which gives both John and I, as well as another family, the opportunity for a homecoming. As our lease drew to a close, we decided on a moving-out date. Shortly after we told our landlord what day we would be vacating, our landlord informed us that another family would be moving in the following week. That family is from another country, is escaping persecution, and, with any luck, will be flying into the nearby airport tomorrow. As I cleaned the house prior to turning in the keys, I thought of this sweet family. What could have been just another chore turned into a labor of love. I hope they enjoy peace and enjoy the house and neighborhood as much as John and I did.

9. I'm thankful for neighbors who make goodbyes and hellos easier. In leaving, we had help cleaning and loading. In arrival, we had help unloading, and the offer of dinner. We couldn't have loaded or unloaded the piano (for example, and in particular) without help. 

(I love my old upright piano, but it weighs a ton--at least figuratively, if not literally--and I get nervous whenever we have to move it. My dad's sister actually died in a freak piano-moving accident when she was a little girl, so that is always in the back of my mind whenever we have to relocate our piano.)

10. I'm thankful for John. We have, as John puts it, "grown up and moved out." I have loved each stage of our life together, and this homecoming is no exception. 

What are you thankful for this week? What makes home home for you? Link up below (if the code is working!) and/or visit the Ten Things of Thankful blog and join in the fun.


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Comments

  1. May your new home be filled with many happy and memorable moments. Welcome Home.

    ReplyDelete
  2. The view looks lovely. I like the openness. Light and airy as they say. Good for plants!
    #5 makes me laugh. Who knew indeed! Glad your son had a safe trip.
    Moves are always made easier when there's extra help.
    Becoming familiar with a new house is the coolest part of moving. Getting to know the different sounds, the "getting lost" sometimes at night lol until you can walk it in your sleep :)
    What about Drexel? Does he like the new house? Has he claimed any spots yet?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My houseplants seem to like it here. I love all the natural light, too. Drexel is so easy-going; he's settling in well. As for spots, he likes to be wherever I am. :-)

      Delete
  3. Such a happy list, and i hope you have many wonderful years in your new home!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Is that a new painting?
    I could just visualize you trying to make the home ready for the family from another country who was escaping persecution. I'm sure there was some thoughtful attention given to make the home especially inviting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you are referring to the image in the bottom-right-hand-side of the photo, that is the start-up screen of my computer. I am still trying to figure out where to hang art in this house; I definitely have fewer walls than in my house in CA, so I'm still trying to decide what gets displayed.

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  5. It must have been so scary, being trapped in that cave. I am so glad they are safe.

    Settling in, remaining there, until your knees give out. At least you have someone to share that with.

    :-)

    Happy for you that it is becoming home.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Loved reading this. I saw it the other day on Facebook and meant to come then, being all in the boxes right now too but then well, boxes happened. Where in Colorado? Also your new home looks amazing. I so get that the chore became a labor of love when you realized you were cleaning for a family escaping persecution. Wow. I hope they've settled in and feel safe. I hope you are settling in and feeling safe, too. Also? The lights? Give it a year ;)

    ReplyDelete

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