The House That Built Me

In the middle of the afternoon yesterday there was a knock on my door, and upon opening it, I recognized the young girl to be one of the children who used to live in this house. She is the youngest of 5 and had lived in this house since birth and was 10 when we took ownership of it. I remember seeing her a lot with her father, who had been a custom home builder and had built this home for his family. He was building a bigger. better home for his family and that was why he sold this one. Tragically, he died suddenly only a month after we moved in. Fast forward 5 years and a beautiful 15 year old and her guy friend are on my porch. She shyly told me she used to live here..and before she said another word I said "Would you like to come in and look around?" Her face lit up and she and her friend stepped into her former home. "Oh! I love your decor and your antiques!" she said, and I proceeded to give her a tour..apologizing for the disarray it was in since I've been sick since Christmas. But I knew she didn't care...she just wanted to see 'her home'. She started telling her friend stories about the house..experiences she'd had there...so many memories...

She told me that her father had remarked about us. That we were really nice folk and he was glad we got the house. I can only imagine, a house that you have built would take on even more meaning to who you would want to own it.

A house is more than where one dwells, it's an environment that shapes you..makes you who you are. It's where memories are made.

After the tour, she thanked me profusely...said I was really nice.A big compliment coming from a 15 year old! I gave her my phone number and I told her I understood the need of visiting your childhood home and she and her siblings were welcome to come by whenever they had the need. I know that feeling oh so well.

I kept thinking about the lyrics to this song by Miranda Lambert :

THE HOUSE THAT BUILT ME

TOM DOUGLAS / ALLEN SHAMBLIN

I know they say you can’t go home again

I just had to come back one last time

Ma’am I know you don’t know me from Adam

But these hand prints on the front steps are mine

Up those stairs in that little back bedroom

Is where I did my homework and I learned to play guitar

I bet you didn’t know under that live oak

My favorite dog is buried in the yard

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it

This brokenness inside me might start healing

Out here it’s like I’m someone else

I thought that maybe I could find myself

If I could just come in I swear I’ll leave

Won’t take nothing but a memory

From the house that built me

Mama cut out pictures of houses for you

From Better Homes and Gardens magazine

Plans were drawn and concrete poured

Nail by nail and board by board

Daddy gave life to mama’s dream

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it

This brokenness inside me might start healing

Out here it’s like I’m someone else

I thought that maybe I could find myself

If I could just come in I swear I’ll leave

Won’t take nothing but a memory

From the house that built me