state of the family

since we’ve returned from abroad in july
we’ve been house-hopping between relatives
while searching for income and a home of our own.
i feel like i’ve been gathering information
to create a state-of-the-family address.

each house has had its benefits along with its challenges
– although we probably brought many of the latter with us.
one house was physically detrimental to one member of our family;
another was spiritually unhealthy to us all;
another home helped us to reconnect with the rhythms of nature
and the circle of life;
in yet another, we livened up an empty-nest
with boisterous, youthful energy and had the opportunity to
buoy a cherished family member during one of her lowest times.
in all places, we’ve been able to strengthen the fortitude of family ties.

in every abode we faced the challenge
of fitting our moderately-sized family into the rhythms of its native dwellers.
it’s a delicate act attempting to provide some sense of stability to a nomadic household
while trying to tread lightly on the generosity of family.
i consciously sought to make our presence felt in such a way so that
they would miss us when we left
rather than breath a sigh of relief at our departure.
my intent was to leave cheerful memories upon our farewell
after our extended “visit”.

our wandering reconnections have highlighted certain values
that i want to implement and/or strengthen in our own family-unit,
underscored the importance of family
and how families should function during times of crisis and challenge
like antibodies coming to the aid of broken skin,
preventing a hemorrhage and preserving life and love.
but now…
i just want a home of my own,
be it rented or owned,
an intimate place in which to move within our own rhythms,
savoring our own peace and adventures,
reveling in our own energetic essence,
balancing that by continuing to reach out
to cultivate connections to our extended family
who have given us love, support, love, encouragement, love and
a home after home after home after home
during our time of need.