My parents have passed away, and my immediate family consists of me, my husband, my two sons and sister-in-law. When I traveled back to Houston last summer for my high school reunion, someone said, “Oh, you’re going home for a visit.” I said, “No, I am leaving my home for a visit.”
Home is not always the house or city where you grew up. Some people move constantly, like my friends whose parents were in the military. I think they probably understand better than most that home is where you make it.
But sometimes it’s sad to not be able to go “home” to your mom’s house. Even as an adult, I loved taking a nap at mom and dad’s. There was always a comfort and smell like no where else. All these years I thought I no longer had a home to go to, until a recent trip that was long overdue.
My childhood friend, one of my dearest friends in the world, “C” and her family lived around the corner from me growing up in Galena Park, Texas. We went to middle school and high school together, and we were in the same beginning band class. She played the alto sax and I played the oboe. We always practiced together in her garage (I am sure the neighborhood loved it). One of our big hits was the theme from “Rocky.” We recorded ourselves on a little cassette recorder and even played together over the phone! We shared our love for music with each other and always had a fantastic time.
The special thing about C’s family was that I was able to experience a different life with them than what I lived. The had a lake house in “the country.” I would camp out, go fishing, clean the fish, do my “business” in the woods, and eat Chef Boyardee straight out of the can! I learned how to “rough it” by taking a bath from a bucket of water of the end of a pick-up truck and slept in sleeping bags under the stars. Riding dirt bikes that spewed oil onto our legs was filled with nothing but laughter, and Pizza Rolls and soda in her house were treats! And watching MTV (when it was all videos in the 80’s) was a regular Saturday afternoon. Her parents loved me and welcomed me into their home and I have nothing but good memories when I think of her and her family. When her dad passed away, I traveled to their home in Jacksonville. I kept my distance, not wanting to intrude, but when the preacher asked the family to come into the room where her dad was in state, her and her mom pulled me inside with them. I was not an outsider…I never have been.
I just returned from a week long visit with her. I’ve not seen her in nine years and with Caeleb’s hemophilia complications and work, I never seemed to find the time to get to her. Now I had the time and I was looking forward to hugging my friend. The first person I saw was her mom. She grabbed me and I melted into her hug as if it was yesterday I had seen her. And the tears flowed as I held her for a very, long time. It was like hugging my own mom. And all of a sudden, I knew I was home.
Then I saw “C.” So many things have happened in her life and I know she is not where she ever dreamed she would be, but when I saw her, that same twinkle in her eye said hello . The same twinkle that always got us into trouble 🙂 I have experienced life by enjoying the simple beauty around me because of her. She taught me to love the outdoors and to let my wild side out once in a while.
I remember the fear that ran through my body when her brother-in-law called me fifteen years ago to tell me that C had been hit by a drunk driver. Within hours I was at her side, so afraid that my friend would not survive.
One bad decision can destroy lives and dreams and that day, when a man decided to drive his truck hauling a load of cars drunk, he took the life of a young woman, destroyed the memory of one and left my beautiful friend in excruciating pain all of these years. She is so much more than that accident…I see it in her eyes and hear it in her laugh, but sometimes the effects of a person’s bad decision can change the path for many innocent souls.
How in the world can I tell her that the wreck did not take the best part of her? She is in crazy pain and her life is not what she imagined it would be, so how can she understand that her heart, her beautiful heart and soul are the same?
I’m not sure if she believes me, but I know God has something in store for her. It’s easy for me to say, but I believe it with my whole heart.
I love you, C.
Today I Am Thankful For:
- morning coffee on the pier
- pigs and chickens and pigs
- hugs
- chirping birds
- flashlights
