Family

One of my daughters posted this section from Wind in the Willows on her Facebook this week. 

The Wind in the Willows, chapter 5, when Mole catches a scent of something and starts feeling very emotional and not at all right and suddenly realizes why.

"Home! That was what they meant, those caressing appeals, those soft touches wafted through the air, those invisible little hands pulling and tugging, all one way! Why, it must be quite close by him at that moment, his old home that he had hurriedly forsaken and never sought again, that day when he first found the river! And now it was sending out its scouts and its messengers to capture him and bring him in. Since his escape on that bright morning he had hardly given it a thought, so absorbed had he been in his new life, in all its pleasures, its surprises, its fresh and captivating experiences. Now, with a rush of old memories, how clearly it stood up before him, in the darkness! Shabby indeed, and small and poorly furnished ... And the home had been happy with him, too, evidently, and was missing him, and wanted him back, and was telling him so, through his nose, sorrowfully, reproachfully, but with no bitterness or anger; only with plaintive reminder that it was there, and wanted him."
Sometimes I know how you feel old chap."

As a family we read to our children ever night into their teens from the Bible and a Classic book. By no means do I feel that we gave them a "Classical" education, but we gave them a love for books.

At Christmas we would revisit this chapter of "Wind in the Willows" from our Tasha Tutor illustrated edition.

My response to her post was, "The mice will be singing in just a week."

Her response, "Yes!"

As my children are all young adults (youngest will be 18 in Spring), I see our family has taken on a new dimension. 

"Home" is an interpretation of memories collected.

We live in four different locations now. and "Home" is also where they live.

Family is a broad subject, where as, it use to be in one location.

Meeting together as "the family" may now be only a twice a year occasion.

I look  at my cookie cutter collection and wonder to myself, "when will I make cookies with my grandchildren?"

I found this vintage turkey for my cookie cutter collection for 25 cents at a second hand store.

(compared to $4.95 on ebay.)

I am so thankful for my family and blessed by each location my children call home.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 (ESV)