Home Again

This past week, the family spent some vacation time in the beautiful White Mountains of New Hampshire, specifically at a friend's chalet at the base of Loon Mountain in Lincoln. Besides the constant deluge of rain, it was a good week together, away from the demands (both trivial and important) of daily life at home. We played games, hiked the glacial boulder caves at the top of Loon, visited Santa's Village and Story Land, swam in the Pemigawasset River, and took a short train ride through some of the most beautiful country you will find in all of New England. I even had a close up encounter with a very large black bear one evening!

And as much as I tried, I wasn't able to leave it all behind. Too much going on at church to simply release it all for the week. An important, controversial vote. A family in deep crisis. Upcoming change in the lives of good friends. "Home" was never too far from my mind.

On Wednesday, Elsie (our 2 year old), started asking us if we would ever go back to "the white house with windows". We had no clue what she meant, and wondered if it was some place we had visited in the last few days on our vacation. It took us a few hours before my wife figured out that "the white house with windows" was actually our home here in North Easton (a white cape with dormer windows facing out on the 2nd floor). In her 2-year old mind, which was comprehending "vacation" for really the first time, it was possible to her that this chalet was our new home, and that we might never return to our old home. She was simply missing her bed and toys, in spite of having fun "on the mountain". She just wanted reassurance that she would indeed return home to "the white house" someday soon. I assured her that we would.

Vacations are so good, and I am constantly amazed by those who do not take or use their vacation time to be with their families. But so is coming home again. Not only is it the place where your bed and toys are, but it is the place where the things that you care most about, and are most connected with, are. The things that never leave your heart and thoughts no matter how far away you might be.