It got me to thinking...if I was at home right now what would I do. Did you catch that? "if I were at HOME right now..." "Where is home... Where are you from?" That is always a interesting question to ask a military person. You probably think of my home as being Tempe, Arizona. That is, after all where I was born and where I grew up. I used to be able to say I lived in Arizona my whole life, even a year after we moved away I would say that. Sometimes it still feels like I just left but when I sit down and do the math I realize I left a long long time ago. My daughter was a year old when we left and she is now 15! How is it possible I have been away from home that long. Ooops there it is again, the word home.
I do think of Arizona as home but only as "one" of my homes. Right now, if someone asked me what would I do if I was back at home I would naturally think they were referring to Florida....my last home. So I ask myself...why does my brain think of Florida as home. Sure it was one of many and it was my most recent place of residence but I wasn't born and raised there.
I did love Florida. I would have never left Florida had my husband not gotten orders. I could have lived the rest of my life and been buried in Florida too. But I think technically it isn't really my home, is it? I've called New Mexico home, Washington, Texas, California, military base hotel rooms and even our 27 foot travel trailer...home. So what is it about all these places that make me think at the time it was home? Is it cause my husband and daughter were there? Is it because it was the place I laid my head at night? Places we ate our meals together, prayed together. laughed and cried together? I'm not sure. Maybe it isn't one thing but many things that make a place a home.
I always stumble over my words when someone asks me where I am from. Well...I came here from Florida but I was born in Arizona. I also lived in ....you get the picture. You really get more than you ask for when you ask a military person or family member where they are from. What's really funny is if the three of us are together talking to someone and they ask us...instantly all three of us blurt out a different answer. Michael claims Texas of course, I claim Arizona but then say where I lived most recently as well and Gabby...she claims both Texas and Arizona. Now figure that one out...she was born in Arizona but she says since she lived in Texas the longest she feels Texas is her real home.
It's a loaded question no doubt. I can also see how it would boggle the mind of someone who has lived in the same city their whole life. Grown up with the same kids and even have family buried nearby. So my next thought is...how long will it be before I think of England as home. Will I ever claim England? I'm not really sure I will and I think because it isn't in the United States for one and the other is because it is soooooo very far from home. LOL which home? All of them! No matter how you break it up on a map England is very, very far from all of my previous homes!
They say "Home is Where the Heart Is" or "Home is Where the Military Sends You." I think Home is ...I don't know really, maybe my home is a place I haven't lived yet but I know one day I will be called to. All the homes before were just houses, places to make memories, to grow and to prepare me for the real home, the home where all my neighbors and friends will be my family. One great big giant family.
Where are you from?
11 comments:
Well, I'm from a little town in Massachusetts ... I say I grew up in Danvers, but really, I moved to a small city in MA when I was fourteen; Peabody. And now, here I am in Boxford, the longest. I'll never be a real or true townie here, but Boxford feels like home to me. It's the place I planted my routes, got most involved in, raised my children in. It's the place I always want to get back to whenever I am away.
Sure as heck wish I could spell too. lol ROOTS.
I have to say that home has always been here in Ohio for me. But I think you are right in saying Home is where the heart is and where ever you are with your family is where your heart is. When they come home each day from school or work, they come home to you. I'm sure you wouldn't have it any other way.
What a great entry. I've lived in lots of places...when I was born my folks lived in the south end of Tacoma, WA. Then we moved to the rural section of Tacoma, WA onto 10 acres. After high school I moved into an apartment near the phone company near downtown Tacoma, WA and from there to Parkland which is in the far south end of Tacoma, WA. Then married and moved to the far north end of Tacoma, WA (lived in 3 different houses in the north end) and for the last 9½ years I've lived in Lakewood which is located back in the south end of Tacoma, WA. So I've really moved around alot during my life~just like you!
I'm trying again to leave a comment, I always have trouble with my password.
It must be hard for Gabby to say where 'home' is because she has moved around all her life (lucky girl!) I was born in South London, moved to the county of Surrey for five years when I was a child then moved back to London. Now I live in the county of Kent as you know and I think of Kent as my home, I'll be quite happy to spend the rest of my days here so it will always be 'home' from now on! Good post Robin, it made me think! ~~~Pat
Texas is home. I was born in a snall town in KS. I only lived there for 18 yrs, when I got married. Now I've lived more than twice as long here so Lubbock has to be home. Guess that makes me a naturalized Texan.
I was born in Rhode Island, lived in Florida two different times, raised in Texas, now living in California for the longest time and most cities... Buying our home but wonder will we always live here or only until the boys grow up... and then would like to take hubby to see Texas and Florida as he has only lived in California... Wonderful entry and still thinking it's wonderful that you get to experience England... :)
I have lived in four states, Illinois for the longest, but Indiana for the last 12.
And I consider Indiana "home".
This entry made me think of a childhood hymn..."This world is not my home, I'm just a'passing through..."
I've always been in Alabama. I live less than a mile from the very house in which I was born and raised. Once upon a time, I thought that was a curse, now I believe I am blessed...but ignorant! lol I would love to be a little more well-traveled than I am.
You are also blessed...getting to see so many wonderful places. What an exciting education all by itself. And Gabby...she'll always have a story to tell...or an experience to share.
I kind of think that Home is where you are...with your husband and daughter, where you laugh and eat, cry and pray together, just like you said.
Great entry.
~Meg
I really enjoyed reading your article on Where is your home?Having lost my home of 37 years and my parents and three Sisters.Its a good question.Its where we make life time meories and friends.and yes one day Heaven will be HOME.
Thank you for the reminder.
GOD BLESS
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