Feels Like Home

I remember when the transition of "being home" changed from my parents' home to living here in Cedar Falls. I was in college and had come back to see some siblings that were at mom and dad's for the weekend... I rarely passed up an opportunity to see my nieces and nephews so when they came for a visit I usually did as well.

It was Sunday morning so we had gone to church and were having brunch at The Chrome (THE place to be after church in Algona) ... I had my car packed up and ready to go and was planning on heading out as soon as we were finished eating. Everyone was stuffed to the gills and chatting aimlessly as so often happens after a good meal, so I turned to mother and told her it was probably time for me to head home.

She didn't like the sound of that.

"You are home, Sara. You're heading back to college."

Oops. I quickly tried to back track, but on the drive back to college I realized that home had changed. My home with my parents had become what it must for every kid growing up - my childhood home. The home you are always welcomed back to, but also the place that made you strong enough and secure enough to create a home of your own.

My life obviously progressed quite differently than I thought it would - there is no husband or children to keep me where I am (and I'm pretty sure Riley would follow me anywhere). I've had a number of people ask me over the years, especially in the past few when my health has gotten worse, why I don't move back to Algona to be closer to my parents. Believe me, it's not because they haven't offered. It's because I've created a family here that I wouldn't want to leave.

I find I never have words to adequately describe my friendships... I can only say that I hope every one of you reading this has the chance to be as blessed as I have been. I've talked about it before but it bears repeating that I have friends who go above and beyond by welcoming me into their lives and their families. This past weekend my friends Scott and Meg found themselves without their two kids and free to do whatever they wanted. So what do my friends do? They call me up to bring me lunch and hang out. I know it probably sounds simple to you reading this... it's just lunch, right? 

Not to me. To me it's people taking time when they could be doing anything they wanted to show me they remember I'm here and I'm worth making the effort for. It's more than friendship, really. It's family. And it's just one example of the many different friends who treat me as such. I am blessed, people.

Now, for my favorite part of their visit on Sunday...

Remember this picture of Riley? He's wearing a harness.

But the fact that Scott kept calling it a thong is going to keep me laughing all week. 

:)