Make yourself at Home....

I think that we [ people ] often don't think about how much you value the regular routine...your own personal space. Three events of the past week had me pondering this in different situations.
First was in the nursing home where Mom lived for 6 days as a 'respit stay' [as her care givers were briefly out of town].  While sharing a room with an unfamiliar person, everything was different from the bed and  bathroom facilities to the eating routines. Not putting it down, but I know from my own experience when I was in rehab [3 years ago], I sorely wished for my own bed and bathroom and all of the familiar 'stuff '' that makes up 'HOME' for me.  Oh, to be sitting home not caring at all whether there was not much going on. It just didn't matter at that point.
Then I spent the weekend visiting my son and his family/friends.  It was a wonderful time and they took excellent care of me without asking what I needed/wanted...it was a  given.  I am so thankful for my blessings. Spending the weekend with them was perfect therapy for me....especially the hugs.  And yet, when I crossed over the threshold of my home, and that amazing dog of mine greeted me with excitement and love...Well, there's no place like home!
And then there is the ultimate home.  I attended a funeral of an amazing woman...88 years old and she made a difference in so many lives.  Ellen grew up on a farm, raised her own children, was a foster mom, and a grandma who took her young grandson into her home to care for him when Muscular Dystrophy took over and Ellen and her daughter provided their unique kind of tender, loving care.  I met her as she wheeled  Patrick into 5th grade and I was one of his teachers.  That led to  a family relationship of more than 35 years.  She was a  home health care aide who retired at 82, and  a Meals on Wheels volunteer who made banana bread that was well loved by many people.  Ellen's recipe for that banana bread was on the back cover of the funeral program.  In the eulogy given, a phrase was spoken that made me feel better about the whole death scenario.  The deacon said,
"Ellen's life did not end, her life changed."
Along with the funeral Mass programs, two little girls handed out packets of flower seeds that had a label on them that said:
Plant these and smile as you think about Ellen.
Mine was a 'butterfly/hummingbird wildflower ' combo and I can't wait to plant them.
And to smile when those beautiful little forces of nature arrive.
Godspeed Ellen...You did a 'world of good' while you were here.


And now you are not here, but I have a feeling that you are home again.