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Other than crazy summer schedules having completely taken over our lives, I have one very big reason for my disappearance. Our oldest son is coming home for a few days, after nearly five months of being away. We've been working so hard to prepare our home for his arrival, inside and out. And to prepare our hearts (which is the easier part, it seems). I get overwhelmed by big projects. My mother-in-law, like an angel of mercy, swooped down and spent most of Saturday tearing through the basement like a white tornado. What a godsend!
This time I want the house to look and feel familiar, but different: More order, less clutter. More structure, less chaos. More refinement, fewer rough edges. More engaging family time, fewer people isolating themselves via electronic media. And if it's possible to have any more love than we already have, I totally want that too.
One of the most rewarding projects we undertook was to reframe and hang dozens of family photos that had been in storage. My husband is a wonderfully gifted photographer. His black-and-white shots of the children are timeless works of art, capturing not only their looks but their individual personalities on film. Yet still I was amazed at what a warm environment it created to hang them all — even the ones from less-gifted photographers. :) I love seeing our children smiling back at me through so many stages of life.
I have learned that it requires extraordinary vision and focus and commitment to create what I see in my head (and my heart) for our home: A protective circle. Sacred space. I want a sense of love and joy to envelop him the moment he walks through the door. I want it to be that way for all of us. The progress has been long and slow. But I think we might just pull it off.
p.s. You really must visit my friend Heather of the EO and see what she posted today....
23 comments:
I am so happy for you! I hope that things go well. My cousin is in a center in WJ, and he's not doing too great.
The photos are wonderful Charrette! I thought you might have been busy with something along those lines. It all sounds wonderful - very inviting :) I'm sure he'll feel the love you have put into doing everything and understand what you are saying to him. The photos everywhere (or are they all on one wall?) sound really marvellous. I'll be praying for you. :)
xo
I love those photos. And I can see who they are now in those pictures. Beautiful!
I hope that the trip is all that you want it to be.
My prayers are with you!
So, the boarding school thing is over? I guess I was thinking he'd be there a while. You don't say that he's just home for a visit...Regardless, yes, I've missed you, but summers keep everyone busy, so I get it :) Have a wonderful reunion.
I had to swing over from the Extraordinary Ordinary to say how beautiful your painting is. What a talent!
Blessings,
Carolynn
I am crying here. Those photos... sigh. I love those kids.
We will be thinking of you all this week. It will be wonderful!
My heart feels all stretched after reading that. I can tell even from this distance that you've got the love thing down pat. Hope the visit is all warmth and wonderfulness.
I don't think there's any way that he won't feel completely enveloped in the very best way from the moment he gets home.
your painting is gorgeous! (on heather's site).
I just came from Heather's to tell you the painting is so beautiful! You're an extraordinary talent and sweet to boot!
Those are beautiful photos and beautiful children. You're beautiful, Charrette. This goodness, this tenderness, this all-encompassing need to surround your family with love--all mom's should be like you.
See? You inspire me again!
I want to strive for that home and heart too.
I love the photos. I'm so happy that your boy will be with you for a few days. I love you.
may I add to the comments, clicking here from Heather's place, and finding sweetness,integrity, and so much talent.
Beautiful
i hope you are blessed in what is transpiring in your family.
I will carry those rudbeckia in my heart.
I just came from Heather's site to say - the painting is so beautiful Charrette! What a loving and wonderful gift you have given!
xo
Without making assumptions, I gather from Kristina's comment that this has been a difficult situation, and I wish you all the happiness in the world.
The tenderness with which you write is breathtaking, Charrette. I sure would like to meet you some day.
I popped over from Heathers site... Your painting is simply breath-taking.
The photos of your children are as well. I am gathering from the comments that you are in the midst of a difficult situation. I can tell you love your son... and he will be able to feel it too.
I came your way via Heather whom I adore. Your painting is breathtaking and what a gift.
These photographs of your children are simply beautiful...your husband is indeed gifted.
I will return to read some more....
Lee
Glad to have you back. I love to clean and purge. You son will feel so loved.
It looks like those photos could all have been taken yesterday. And they really do capture so much more than a face or a pose. Excellent.
I'm sure it will be a wonderful homecoming! And I love that as you've prepared your home physically you've been thinking about more than how it looks.
Oh my goodness, I just want to squeeze them all into gigantic hugs. I love these photos, and they capture your dudes' personalities SO well. What a fantastic idea, along with all the other ideas about making things safe, clean, and warm there.
Love you. Can't wait to hear how everything went.
I came over from Luisa's so I'm not sure what your situation is currently with your son, but I can say that the changes you want to make in your household sound like positive steps for anyone to take. And the pictures are stunning.
I love your concept of sacred space. I think I need to get off the computer...
The photos are beautiful. I like to think of me as an amateur photographer and I admire the works of talented photographers.
I hope the homecoming turned out as you hoped. God bless.
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