We arrived at my parents’ home after a long day of traveling almost half way across the world. This morning I grabbed my camera and headed out the door before the sun was up. The crisp morning greeted me and a familiar stillness over these fields and woods invited me to pay close attention to the details. The first morning home is always the best. During that first morning walk, memories flood my heart and a deep sense of peace and gratefulness overwhelms me.
Here I learned to value family
– that love requires discipline and grace.
Here I learned what hospitality is
-that it is more about how much space you have in your head
than the space you have in your house.
Here I learned to appreciate forgiveness
-to give it as well as receive it.
Here I learned to value the moment
-not to count on having tomorrow.
Here I learned that time is short.
-to love while we can.
Here I learned to walk
– with God.
“Father, thank You for my family.
Help me to make the most of the time You have given me with them.
Teach me to value moments together.
Help me see them as precious gifts from You.”
~
So teach us to number our days,
That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12
(Heidi Viars, 2013)
Hi, Heidi! I realized that I hadn’t ever come back to read those posts that you had let me know about, which might be the one that I’m lookin’ for. So here I am to finally read ’em. Beautiful poem – says just the right things. I love photos of cemeteries too, by the way. Oddly peaceful, they can be .
It is a true blessing to be able to go home and count that place as one which fed you so very well. Enjoy your visit! I love these photos – are you in Germany?? 🙂
I am 🙂
Memories are so powerful and I think you are right. It is better to remember the good times than dwell on the bad. I needed to be reminded of this today
Hope you are feeling well … thanks for your comment (and prayers 🙂 )
My parents moved away from our hometown many years ago, but I return now and then in my memory. Your childhood and mine were similar in a number of ways. I, too, experienced discipline, grace, hospitality, forgiveness, and precious times spent together as family. Your beautiful post brought a wave of appreciation over my heart! Thank you, Heidi.
thanks so much for stopping by, Nancy … I often wonder how will I remember this moment? I am learning to be aware that each moment has the potential to a either be a great or a bad memory … how good to glance at the past – but how much better it is to live in this moment with an awareness of the future. Be blessed Nancy!
Hi Heidi, schön hast Du das geschrieben.
Wir frreuen uns alle so sehr, dass Du mit Deinen Jungs hier bei uns bist und genießen die Zeit mich Euch. Wir haben Euch ganz doll lieb!!!
Danke, Mama 🙂 Wir euch auch!!!!!
Enjoy your time with family…what a special post:)
Thank you so much, Patty … I will 🙂
Amen… Beautiful photos and a beautiful reminder to number our days and make the most of them.
Thank you Rene… time passes so quickly and we don’t know when we get to see one another again
Excellent words! I enjoy your words.
Thank you omtatjuan … Bless you as you pursue God!
Simply lovely, Heidi. Thank you for the warm memories you invoked. Have a wonder-filled vacation!
\o/
I was thinking about what we chose to remember … and how God chooses to remember our sins no more … maybe we do well to remember the better things of our past, rather then dwell in the painful stuff we can’t change 🙂 Thanks for stopping in, Tammi!
Looking back at the positive things in our childhood is something rarely done these days. Everyone is so stuck on the negatives and it is refreshing to read your post of the good times, the learning, the training, the grace that you experienced. Thank you for sharing and have a happy time on memory lane ~ Blessings ~
Hey Deb, I think we all could chose to remember the terrible times. But if I do that, then I have to remember the hurt I have inflicted as well. What a blessing it is to see God set us free from having to remember those times. Love truly does cover a multitude of sins … for myself and others! Thanks so much for stopping in… Blessings to you!
Heidi, I pray your trip is blessed with happy times and special memories. Enjoy!
Dearest Sue, thank you so much for your prayers! Pray we will make the most of our time together 🙂
I returned to the home I grew up in for my Grandmother’s funeral several weeks ago (she was 100 years and 10 months old). I continue to thank God greatly for my extremely closely knit immediate and extended Christian family he gave me. I am truly blessed!
What treasures of wisdom your grandmother must have been … truly, what a blessing to have a close knit family 🙂
http://findingmyinnercourage.wordpress.com/2013/06/17/i-will-see-you-again/
I would love to go back to my childhood home; but it has just never happened. Long flights may have something to do with it. What a beautiful post Heidi. Be blessed as the memories flood back and may you have many more wonderful moments that will add to the fragrance of them.
Hi Liana … I am also trying to make memories with my kids … who soak these moments in … hopefully to sift through them later and to remember the beauty in them … and maybe to pass them on to their children 🙂 God’s blessings to you!
This is really precious, Heidi. Thank you for letting us in on your special moments there. Praying to make the most of my time with my family too, tonight, and to remain thankful always. God bless you!!
Hello Debbie, thank you for stopping in. A lifetime is made of moments, strung together, one a time. We can’t hold on to them, but we can chose which ones we remember 🙂
I visited my home where I grew up some months back too.. I did same as you. I thank God greatly for a closely knit christian family he gave me
Emerald, It is good to remember our roots … thanks for your visit … God bless!