Wednesday, June 20, 2018

My Home is my Refuge

 

   


Today is another bad pain and energy day for me.  Everything hurts and I have very little gumpton left.  I am glad that Jeff and I were able to get some things done out in the garden yesterday because there is no way I could have done them today.

   Despite the pain, or maybe, just maybe, because of it, I have found myself loving my home even more.  It is my place of refuge, rest, and an escape from the demands of the outside world.  Here I am safe.

   My hubby works hard outside and around our home to make this all possible for me.  He knows that there are times when I just can't do anything and need to rest.  He encourages me to do so and takes over the areas where I usually am in control of.

   I used to be a social butterfly and really enjoyed being around people.  Now I can only do people in limited doses because it gets too overwhelming for me.  It has to be a low pain day for me to be out  and away from my home.  If it is a high pain day, like today, just going down to the library and post office can take every bit of energy I can muster and I don't stop to chat with people, but come straight back home, take off my bra (on days like this it hurts to wear one) and collapse into my recliner.

   My home is filled with comfy furniture, soft throws, and multiple beds where I can retreat to and take a nap if needed.  Our swamp cooler keeps things cool during the Summer and the pellet stove keeps it nice and warm during the cold months.  We have a walk in shower along with a deep soaking tub.  Our hot tub, with the enclosure around it to give us privacy and allow us to use it in any kind of weather, is a place where Jeff and I can both relax and our grandkids enjoy playing in it too.
The back screened in porch is used 3 seasons of the year.  We have meals out there, family parties, morning coffee and I blog and read there also.  We also have an extensive video and book collection here so there is always something to watch or read.

   Our gardens provide fresh produce, not only for us, but for our family and friends as well.  We also try to preserve some of it for use during the non gardening months.  The flowers blooming bring me great joy.  I love seeing the hummingbirds flitting from one bloom to another gathering nectar.  Wandering around my gardens is calming and healing in and of itself for me.

   The most important things about my home though is that it is filled with love and is still a gathering place for our family and friends.  It is a place where everyone is accepted, embraced and encouraged.  My grandchildren and children, along with our friends all feel very much at home here and that is as it should be.  It is a refuge for them as well as for Jeff and I.  There is always good food to eat, cats to cuddle with and our big love bug of a dog Caesar who looks after all the grandbabies.  The grandkids have their toy box, personal library, outdoor toys and bikes here.  They even consider the back guest bedroom their room and did I mention that I even have toothbrushes here for them also?

    With all the craziness and downright hateful attitudes going on in the world around us, I am blessed to have such a special place to retreat to.  I can shut out the outside world if need be to get a break from it all.  I do not need to let anyone into my world here either in person or even in cyberspace who will disrupt the peace that I need.  Yes, there will always be things going on and yes, the outside world does creep in sometimes, but isn't it great to know you can shut it out most of the time?

   I am blessed to have the home and supportive family and friends that I do.  I am blessed that our home is a place of refuge for me, my husband and our family and friends.  I am blessed to have the fur babies that we do and the great joy they bring into our lives.  I am just blessed. :)

15 comments:

  1. I seem to pop in on days when you are not feeling at all well. I am so sorry Deb to hear that the pain is high today.
    I dont suffer from pain or any social anxiety. I am very lucky this way. I just dont like people very much. I have days when I can be the life of the party and others where I cant stand the thought of being nice to one more person. I'm odd.
    I love hearing you talk of your home as your refuge. I love the descriptions of you comfortable and quiet private space.
    As much as you can, enjoy your day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Jayne. I had to giggle when you said you did not like people very much. You have always been so nice and kind to me. ;) I get it though, I seem to want to avoid more and more people these days.

      I have been enjoying my home. My youngest grandson came up to play and we enjoyed each other's company as he chased the dog and cats and we played ball together. :) It was wonderful!

      Delete
  2. I'm sorry that today has been a hard day for you. I hope you feel better soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Angela, I really do appreciate it. Be blessed!

      Delete
  3. I'm glad that your home is a haven not only for your but for your family and friends. You're right the world is crazy and getting worse so we all need that safe space. Hope you feel better soon!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Wendi. :) Shortly after I wrote this post, I was subjected to such ugliness while on Facebook. I had to totally shut it off for a few days because I cannot believe how some people that I thought I knew well were acting. I just don't want or need that kind of ugliness or negativity in my life.

      Delete
  4. I love the flowerbed! There's nothing as cheering as looking out the window at some gorgeous flowers:).

    I love putzing around my home, too. Summer is very busy, because my niece and nephew are here a lot, but it is still better for me than winter when I need to go over to their house and get them off the bus. We still drive more than I like, but that's the nature of my life.

    I keep so much stuff for my nephew here, that when he spent the night last night, I told his mom all I needed was his blankie and kitties--and 2 other things--I had the rest here! We also keep him a toothbrush, and keep some things for him in the camper, too. He thinks it belongs to him anyway:). We are getting things loaded up for a camping trip next week, after Patsy, Alissa (niece) and I go on our 1-night backpacking trip tomorrow. Jake will go camping with us. Michaela has no desire to ever go camping, silly girl! We have a Lego in the camper of a camper, pulled by a blue van. He loves it because our van is blue, and we pull a camper, so it's a blue van and camper inside of a blue van and camper. He thinks that is the funniest thing ever! The big girls will stay home and hold down the fort, so it will just be Patsy and Jake with us. That helps keep the commotion down a bit.

    But, first, the backpacking trip. I have packed and re-packed my pack over and over, trying to get it balanced and not too heavy. It's around 30 lbs, so that's do-able. I am a little anxious about the whole thing since I haven't gone backpacking for so many years. Still, I'm also very excited! I hope I haven't forgotten anything, but figure as long as I have my meds and food I can eat, plus some candy in case I hike too hard and my sugars go low, the rest can be survived without for 1 night! I guess we will all know how it went by Saturday night:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Praying that you camping trip is going well my friend! How funny about Jake and the blue van and camper in the camper. He is such a funny little guy. I hope you have a wonderful time with him and Patsy next week also. Muc love to you!

      Delete
  5. Becky, I am so glad that your home is your refuge. That is such a blessing! There was a very dark time in my life when I didn't want to come home from work, because my home was definitely not a refuge for me! If it hadn't been for the fact that my mother would stand by the drive way and wait for me, I would have just driven by and not come home! She knew that, I think, and that's why she'd wait outside every evening for me.

    That flower bed looks so colorful and pretty with all the lovely flowers! Continue to enjoy your home and garden and thank you for sharing it with us. Hope the pain eases a bit and you feel better, soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. (((((((HUGS)))))) BLess and I am so sorry that happened to you. I'm glad you have a cozy home of your own now where you can feel safe.

      Delete
  6. Your post just blessed me so much. Thankyou.

    Today is cooler and overcast..still at lunch time. I'm enjoying the day at home and taking a day off from the garden.
    Sending hugs.
    SJ

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi SJ, I got your email and emailed you back. Good for you for taking some time for you. Have a great weekend!

      Delete
  7. I'm glad that you find so much comfort in your home, I feel lucky in that I do, too. I hope that your health settles down some for you so that you can enjoy your family and summer activities more. Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Sandy! I hope you and Bruce can spend lots of time enjoying the lake this Summer. :) You life has been busy lately too! Much love!

      Delete
  8. I like your blog,I sincerely hope that your blog a rapid increase in
    traffic density,which help promote your blog and we hope that your blog is being updated.
    หนังสยองขวัญ

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking time to comment on my blog posts. I really appreciate it and being able to get to know you through your comments. I hope you have a wonderful day!