So, today is June 1st. I guess the most important thing about that date is that in 6 more days my little girl turns 6 years old. Crazy. But to be honest, what I've been thinking about even more is that in exactly two months from today, the lease on our farm begins. We still don't know who will be renting it, but we have a lot of interest and at least 2 people coming this weekend to check it out. So I'm making a lot of wishes these days. I'm wishing for a good renter who will love this property and experience the beauty of living here. I'm wishing for a good 7th year for my little girl. I'm wishing for a smooth transition to North Carolina for our whole family. Most of all, I'm wishing for the grace to make my home wherever I find myself.
I've been thinking a lot about the concept of home. It's complicated for me by the fact that where I live now is where my family is, where I grew up, where my DAD grew up! How can I ever feel at home anywhere else? And yet, I know that I have experienced home in a whole new way since marrying my dear Dave and since becoming a mother. As much as I adore my extended family, I know that I will be at home wherever I go with Little C and Dave. We're a family who likes adventures, I keep telling myself. So I will venture out, in a southerly direction, and find myself at home in a new place. And at the end of that road, this home will still be here, ready to welcome me when I return.
To prepare my heart to leave (how can I possibly do that?) I am taking myself on a little photographic challenge. For the next 60 days, I will use my camera to capture something that speaks to me of home. I will end up with a collection of images that tell me something about who I am in this place, and just maybe, when it's time to go, I will be able to step out in faith, with a bit more confidence in who I am and becoming.
Today's pictures tell the story of my big, almost-6 girl, and her delight in an impromptu, before-dinner swim in the lake at the base of our little road. Living 1.8 miles from the lake has it's definite advantages, especially on such a muggy, thunder-stormy day. We had our first swim on Monday, and so far we're 3 for 3, swimming each day! This WILL be the summer of swimming, surely!
After the storm rolled through it left behind it a cool breeze and a pink-purple sky. I will miss my trees and the sky. (In case you can't tell, this is the line of trees just above our house. I have almost as many pictures of the sky above these trees as I do of my barn!)
What are you wishing for on this June night? Where are you making and finding home?
