There’s No Place Like Home

I had a conversation with a co-worker yesterday about whether it’s better to move out of the big house when the children go off to college or to keep it.  They are pros and cons to both options.  If we sell the house, there will be less maintenance.  We would also move into something smaller so the costs of our utilities would decrease.  However, our children would always be able to come “home” if we keep it.  I don’t mean that they will be invited to live with us again.  I’m referring to their visits home with their own families.

The thought of my children bringing their own children to our home made me rule everything out immediately.  There is nothing like the comfort of going home and I want my boys to feel that.  They shouldn’t have to stay at a hotel when they come in town.  I look forward to them coming in, getting comfortable, and eating up my food.  Ah, the good times!

I want them to able to bring their friends, girlfriends (unfortunately, it’s going to happen), and their wives (oh, I think I’m going to pass out) there and tell stories of what they remember in the house.  Like how their dad used to fall up there stairs and pushed the railing through the wall.  Or how they were a little scared of the basement until we painted it a lighter color.  Or how we used to hang a sheet over the doorway to the family room and plug in a space heater to keep it super warm in the family room so we wouldn’t have to turn up the heat in the entire house. Could they tell these stories at any time?  Of course, they could.  But it’s not the same when people are trying to visualize the house.  Sometimes you just have to see it for yourself.

They don’t realize it yet, but one day the house is going to seem so small to them.  They think it’s huge now, but that will change when they’ve grown a couple more feet.  It’s still going to feel cozy but a little different.  They are going to wonder how they ever shared a room.  Even more, they are going to wonder why they had to share a room even though there was an extra one in the house. :~)

I want them to have wonderful memories in that house so I work hard at it.  I want them to remember the birthday scavenger hunts, the countless cookouts, impromptu get-togethers, and so much more.  I know that they have to venture out and create their own paths in this world.  I just want them to always know that we’ll be waiting for them at home.