I eagerly anticipated Tate’s college Christmas break.
I envisioned family meals spread on the dining room table night after night. Piles of beef tenderloin with roasted potatoes, pot roast and carrots, his favorite cream of mushroom soup… (Tate is my carnivore.)
Tate had visions of Burger House and late nights with friends.
I had grown accustomed to my tidy third floor. Tate had grown accustomed to apartment living.
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| 3rd floor |
There comes a time when Christmas decorations need to be taken down and put away. The tree, fresh and fragrant, filled with bright twinkle lights, became instantly frazzled and tired by January 1. Garland and tinsel and cherished vintage ornaments need to be returned to attic storage to rejuvenate and regain holiday magic for next year.
There comes a time when college kids need to return to college, bittersweet though it may be.
Sunday, Tate drove back to college to begin the spring semester of his sophomore year. As I watched the Redskins lose to the Seahawks, Tate sent me a text saying, “I’m home.”
What? Home?
I wanted to respond… NO, you are back in Fayetteville. Home is here in Dallas. With me!
But I knew what he meant.
We all have more than one home. Home is the place where memories are strung together like pearls on a necklace. The place where all our yesterdays live.
I’m home as soon as I cross State Line Avenue into Texarkana. I’m home as soon as I cross the Red River back into Texas.
I am home any time I’m with my family. I miss Tate already.
talya
Musical Pairing:
There’s No Place Like Home, Elvis Presley
p.s. I miss Kelsey too!
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| Tate, Kelsey, Zach, Taylor Christmas 2012 |
Home is where my family is; home is were my cat lives. B
I had rather be on my farm than be emperor of the world. -George Washington.
good one!
I feel for you! I miss my babies too. 🙁
yes,,,I know what you mean ,,,we got in late friday night from Montana ,after 6 days with grands,,,2 are college , life is fast and
furious,,,they have gone back to Baylor and Sam Houston State University,and when we walk back in the ranch house friday night you know what greeted us,,,,Christmas decor,,,!!! and it was January 4,,
wanted it to disapear so fast…because it is 2013 ,, but life goes on and we have some great memories with family ,that is what counts..thanks
love ya ,,gail
How soon we forget that our children want to follow their own path just like we did. But it still doesn’t keep at bay the longing to keep them safe at home with us.
Yep, it’s time to cut those apron strings, babe. But they love being at both homes, seeing as Tate and Billy (my g.s.) both love family and family gatherings. And friends and independence. And their own, un-mothered domiciles (tho’ I never much could control Billy’s room, which now is behind closed doors ready for any return to this home.) Love….
“Home” is where I live–where my cat is, where my stuff resides.
“HOME home” is where my mother is. 🙂
Alex says home is Jonesboro now. I said you REALLY don’t live there, (trying to make myself feel better) you just go to college there.
Home is where you are Happy..and you are happy when your kids are happy! I miss Alex too, even though he’s just an hour away. On a good note, when I do go to Jonesboro, I can see both kids as Whitney/Trevor live there too.