Long may she stand…
Today I am celebrating 35 years in my home.
The house itself was built a few years before but, on August 23, 1985, it became my home.
Since then it has been a dream and a refuge. A challenge and a resource. A bargaining chip and an accomplishment.
My home has been the scene of a wedding…
…a funeral and hosted a number of showers (both bridal and baby).
It has seen everything from keggers…
to New Years Eve blowouts, watched dozens of pumpkins be carved and welcomed the expected princesses and goblins.
Countless birthdays and many milestones have been marked within the walls of my home—sweet 16’s, baby’s firsts, dirty thirties, fabulous fifties, an incredible ninetieth.
There have been 35 Christmas trees…
35 Thanksgiving turkeys, 35 sets of New Years resolutions promptly forgotten, 35 times I have woken up on Mothers Day in my home.
My home has watched my children grow into adults.
Its walls have embraced them and many of their friends over the years. Many knew they were as welcome as in their own home when a party went late.
Now my home watches my grandchildren grow.
Its walls continue to embrace the excitement of birthday parties, the squeals of Christmas morning, the anticipation of baby teeth coming in and falling out. More first steps have been taken, first days of school continue, more first kisses and dances are still in its future.
It looks a little different, as we all do 35 years later. A facelift here, a nip and tuck there.
As they say—her bones are good.
I hope to enjoy another 35–I expect she will long outlive me and continue to be a well-loved, well-lived home.
