Friday September 22 2017  NO PLACE LIKE HOME

 

Eight days is quite long enough to go between writing blogs.  Tonight is actually the first opportunity I have had to write since my last published date. 

This has been a trip of accomplishments! First, we accomplished arriving on time for the day of Dave’s nephew’s funeral.  It was a beautiful memorial celebrating his life.  He leaves a great void in the lives of those who knew him. 

We arrived in Northern California in enough time for my older sister to make needed appointments to accomplish some important business she has been trying to complete.  I will not go into detail about someone else’s business but it has been something she wanted to accomplish and needed our help to do so.  My sister is hearing impaired and it is difficult to make appointments by using the telephone.  There was more we might have done had we more time to stay but the most important business was accomplished.

Another awesome accomplishment (at least for me) was delivering the five completed photo albums to my younger sister.  That in itself is my own greatest personal accomplishment.  The part I enjoyed the most was sitting with her as she turned each page.  It was quite emotional for her to finally receive the photo albums.  She said there were times she cried because she feared I was never going to fulfill the promise I gave to her seven years ago.  When our mom died the photos were requested by my sister.  I told her I would put them in an alum (ended up being five albums) for her as soon as I could.  I had no way of knowing it would take so long for me to finally retire.  Once I arrived home from my travels over two years ago I began the album saga.  I had no idea there would be so many pictures nor that the journey would take such a long time.  But…I have fulfilled my promise and it feels so good!!!  I do hope Faith enjoys the albums for years to come!

We then headed for home with a few stops along the way.  Currently we are in Northern California as guests of friends who we have known since 1973, the year we married.  We have kept in touch off and on all these years and it is such a delight to have a few days respite in their home before we begin the last leg home.  We have many hours of driving between here and home!  And who knows, we may still take a couple of side-trips along the way.  We have our eyes on a couple of Presidential Libraries and a couple of state capitol buildings we have not yet seen.  It may not seem exciting to some but it is extremely interesting, and eye opening, to learn the history behind the buildings and those responsible for our country’s leadership in the past.  Dave and I both enjoy history, architecture, and the experience of viewing artifacts first hand.

Two years ago I visited Ronald Reagan’s Library and Museum in Simi, California.  This trip Dave and Rebecca also had the opportunity to enjoy the experience of seeing it for the first time along with viewing Nixon’s Library in Yorba Linda, California.  From this point on we have no idea what we will see.  We plan to take each day unplanned and see where we end up.

We have focused on having quality time with friends and relatives.  What we see along the way is just a side bonus.  I do believe our hearts are yearning to be home so we can enjoy autumn before winter makes her debut.  We both love and enjoy this time of year.  We so enjoy traveling but when we are absent from home we grieve a bit inside knowing we are missing part of whatever season we are absent.  After 31 years of living in Wisconsin we are truly Wisconsinites through and through.  There is truly no place like home!

 

NO PLACE LIKE HOME

Kathleen Martens

September 22, 2017

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

The heart of our souls still linger fair

Across the miles to Autumn’s lair.

Crisp and clear, blue skies reign,

As our hearts grieve, unable to feign.

 

Peaceful memories home windows speak

With deep longing to complete

The desires of home that live within

For our family and close knit friends.

 

A nomad life but for a while,

We now rejoice mile after mile.

We love to be wherever we are

But homeward bound our shining star.

 

Home sweet home; our lullaby of love.

Foxes and squirrels and mourning doves.

Wood smoke wafting from neighbor’s place

As we look forward to our favorite space.

 

So many miles we’ll leave behind

As our home once again we find.

This time so soon will be gone

While leaves fall obliterating the lawn.

 

HOME SWEET HOME we look ahead

No place like your own bed.

Until then I’ll enjoy each hour

But looking forward, my ongoing power.

 

We are ready to no longer roam

Because there is NO PLACE LIKE HOME!

 

Thank You God for all the protection You have provided on this journey.

Thank You God for the opportunity to be with my sisters and daughter.

Thank You God for the beautiful weather we have experienced.

Thank You for the friends we have been able to visit.

 

GOD BLESS YOU!