Monday, June 2, 2008

"Leaving a House"


The Wit and Wisdom of Marjorie Holmes

Marjorie Holmes is my favorite inspirational writer. Her heartfelt and moving "conversations with God" touch on everyday life, and from time to time, I'd like to share some of her "conversations" with you.



I think most of us can probably relate to this particular selection.

"On Leaving a House"
A selection from "Who Am I, God?"

Oh, God, please bless this house that we are leaving. We worked so hard to achieve it, put so much of ourselves into it, and now we must abandon it, and my heart aches foolishly.

I wander about the yard, noting the shrubs and bushes we set out. The peach tree should bloom and bear this year and we won't be here to see it! Forgive me for this sense of loss. Bless it. May it bear abundantly for the next people who live here.

And the patio. Our hands raked the sand, laid the bricks. Our feet, the feet of our family and our friends, walked them; we enjoyed so many cookouts and happy times here. God, thank you for those times and may the smoke curl just as fragrantly and the food be just as good for those next ones.

This kitchen, Lord, almost but never quite the way I wanted. But my husband was so good to do so much. Thank you for his efforts, and the countless meals I cooked here.

For these little curtains I made and must take down. For the oven I am scrubbing so ardently for my successor. For all the casseroles it produced, the birthday cakes and holiday turkeys.

Bless the woman who will work here in my place. May this kitchen be her cozy shelter ... and may she have it just the way she wants.

God bless this fireplace, these bookshelves, this staircase. All these rooms, torn up now, rawly echoing to the tramp of movers' feet. Yet still throbbing with the life that sang and banged and burst within them. Our laughter, our quarrels and confusions. Our happiness and our agonies.

I can't bear it. I think for a minute I can't bear it -- to leave this house for strangers, no matter what happened here. It is a part of my life, Lord. My breath, my blood, my being. Cursing its defects, loving its comforts -- my life and the life of my family was here.

Now you take my hand and lead me gently from this house. A part of me is briskly directing the activity of moving, a part secretly crying, a part of me at peace. "Goodbye, dear house," I can say. "Be a good house for them.

And thank you, God, for the part of my life that will always be here.

5 comments:

Sarah Taylor said...

What a lovely place you have! Thank you for sharing such a moving excerpt from what looks to be a wonderful book...it gave me goosebumps! I'll definitely be visiting again!
Sarah

Picket said...

Oh my word girl....I could have wrote those very words! That is me...I do that very same thing every time we move...after everything is cleared out and I have cleaned it up I go thru it again and thank God for all the life we lived and shared in the house and I pray for the new owners to find peace and love in the walls of their new home and I stand there crying with joy and with sadness ..oh my word I thought I was a weird one!! lol lol I loved that post and I thanks you so much for coming by and checking in on me...hope you have a beautiful week dear friend!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

This is so beautiful, and a little sad too.

I had to come by and read it after seeing you post on Picket's blog about it.

Today so many are losing their homes due to not being able to afford their mortgages and new higher expenses. It is such a heartbreak, I'm sure.

I've lived in my little house for 33 years come August 31. I know it will be very hard to leave it someday even though I dream about moving somewhere new and having more.

Thanks! It was so nice to read your blog.

Pat in NY

( I posted this comment on your other blog, but I then saw you have Holme's piece here too, so I thought it would be better to leave a comment here, too. Hope that wasn't confusing.

Rue said...

Janie,

That was so touching. I've had to go through that several times and no matter how much I want out of a house, it's always sad to close the door one last time. Thank you for sharing this.

hugs,
rue

Heather said...

Oh my goodness. Here I sit with tears running down my face and an ache in my heart! I found out a few days ago that my old house (that I still love dearly) is back on the market and have been dealing with all kinds of emotions! I just decided to pop over and see you tonight and find this post!?!?! I think I am being spoken to!!!!! LOL!! This is beautiful.
Have a great day!
-Heather :)