What is in a home?

What’s in a home?

Friday, June 10th, we closed another chapter in our lives as we handed the keys over to our home on Breckenridge Avenue.  It has been a strange transition that has caused pondering of life and how all things have a season.  Every contact, relationship and even my own life is just a season of time.

I have two friends who recently purchased brand new homes and while they are starting a new adventure, I am closing one.  Last week we drove through the devastation left from the Joplin tornado.  Families lost their homes and so much more unexpectedly.  We are selling our home happily.  So the question that has been on my mind is, WHAT IS IN A HOME?  I recently read a quote “It takes many hands to build a house, but only hearts can build a home” –Unknown.  I think this statement encapsulates much truth.  Many people build a house of cards…sanctuaries to view.  As I think back on our time at this home, I remember what made it a home…the amazing memories and ways God worked and changed us over the last 6 years.

I remember driving for the first time on Breckenridge, I LOVED the name of the street because it was a favorite location in Colorado.  It in some way made me feel closer to the place I grew up.  The bright GOLD house with brick and stone caught my eye, I loved the perfectly manicured look, the color was a bit odd but it worked in some strange way.  I loved it immediately and when I walked in I was in love, the high ceilings, crisp feel and white moldings had me sold!  I was envisioning decorating within seconds!  It felt grand like a palace or something so special.  No one I had ever known lived in a house just like this one, so it also felt unique…funny thing is it is a very common floor plan.

We bought it, wise or unwise still not sure, it was the peak of a very high housing market but it was our home!  We settled in and I did the best to decorate on a very low budget =), Tony didn’t allow me to make changes for 1 year which felt like an eternity to this wishful ‘artist’!  Our home was just me and Tony we were married for 3 years and felt like we were on top of the world, we had to pinch ourselves often.  Everytime I walked by that first bedroom I envision a baby someday.  Jan 3, 2006 I walked down the stairs when Tony walked in and told him I”M PREGNANT!!! He didn’t believe me, so I had to prove it to him 3 times I think!   My favorite memory of this house was in June when I came home from Colorado and walked into the nursery, I had envisioned a nursery that easily would have cost us $3000 to have done =) also not in the budget!  Tony had worked all weekend on putting up my crown molding and hand made Waynes Coating just like the picture I had showed him.  I fell to the floor crying it was perfect and this was definity a place I could welcome my little prince!  I have spent many hours in that room over the last 4 1/2 years.  Many late nights rocking and nursing my babies.  We have laughed, cried, played and even danced many times in this house and room!  It was just two years later that this home was a shelter and comfort to my aching heart as I greived miscarriage.  One year to the day after losing our baby I walked into the same home with the most amazing little girl Angelina Grace!  This is the home of the Tony Totta four and to me, this is what our home is all about.

Many other special events have happened in this home as well, we started New Life via small group almost 4 1/2 years ago.  Many of the friends and relationships we now have were fostered in this space.  We used this home for two years of weekly small groups, bible studies, and dinners with friends.  My favorite thing is to sit on the porch, eat dinner and let the kids play, walk down to the neighborhood pool and swim with my kids.

So am I sad to leave the walls of this California Split on Breckenridge, but am thankful for the reminder that the memories we are sewing today will last in our hearts tomorrow.  We are building something that will outlive us by investing in our home and family.  We have way too many things and I focus on them much too often, they are annoying to pack, it’s time to lighten up!  This journey is an adventure not a place to burrow down and get too comfortable!    Life is ever changing so embrace today for it could be gone tomorrow.

Thank you Tony for leading our home, being a man of integrity!  Thank you for providing this amazing space for our family faithfully for 6 years.  Thank you for making home a place of security and rest!  I’m excited to be by your side through this next adventure!    ”Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all”  Helen Kellar

Advertisement