I went for a walk the other day with a good friend, and we realized as we were talking that we've been walking together on the same path in the same spot for the last 14 years. For someone who had made about a dozen moves by the time I was a teenager, it's a little shocking to me that I've been in one place, geographically at least, for so long. Even more strange to me is that my children have lived in this one community their whole lives - three of them have lived their whole lives in this one house!
Sometimes I forget that my children don't automatically absorb everything I know, all my memories and experiences by osmosis. When I talk about moving house when I was a child, they look at me a little confused - they have nothing to compare that to. (And Liam is convinced, to my utter horror, that eggs come from Costco, not chickens. Sigh - we need to get some backyard chickens. Badly.)
There is something special, though, about having a place of your own. A spot. When I walk my path along the river, I feel grounded. I am mentally clear, refreshed, peaceful. This is Liam's spot - it has been since he was a baby.
This morning, he was owly and a bit fussy with me. All on his own, he disappeared to his spot, and it gave him just what my spot gives me - he came out from behind the curtain happy, settled, and relaxed. And thankfully, not so fussy anymore.
What about you? Do you have a place of your own?
I like to snuggle in my bed with a book or walk along my mother's gardens.
Posted by: Josee | April 12, 2011 at 07:20 PM
I also moved a lot until my teens, in fact I moved from one country to another. And my kids are like yours, have lived in one house all their lives.
I like Liam's special place. He's so cute, to be able to sort himself out like that.
Hmm, to think about it, my place would be my office ... haha, it's a nice quite environment and I get to do my own thing in peace :)
Posted by: erin | April 12, 2011 at 09:31 PM
I have a place of my own, but at this point it's more or a circumstance than a physical place. When I am all alone in my house I feel calmer and in control (until I look in the basement). Somehow when anyone else is around, or if the dogs are acting squirrelly, (sp?) I am a little on edge. I am hoping that when the basement is finished and my fibre stuff is all accessible in one room that I will be able to relax in the rest of the house with actual people, including DH, and retreat to the basement when things get to me.
Liam is too cute, peeking out from behind his curtain. Smart guy, to recognize his comfort spot so early in life. Is it big enough to accommodate him as he gets older? Like, full grown?
With regards to your having moved a lot as a child, I read once that we must give our children both roots and wings. I don't think the roots have to be a place, but can also be a sense of family and connectedness, no matter where you are. ("Home is the place that when you go there they have to take you in." or something like that.) I think that you and Stuart are providing a good solid base from which the birdlets will be able to spread their wings just fine.
Whoa, this is long. I didn't know I had such a strong opinion about the whole issue. Have a good weekend.
Posted by: Judy G. | April 15, 2011 at 08:43 AM
It's fun watching that boy grow up! My favorite place is anywhere in my house where I can watch the lake. It immediately gets rid of the stress of the day.
Posted by: Lorette | April 21, 2011 at 09:26 AM