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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: The Family Home (05/29/08)
I’m an Army brat. We moved at the will of the post war needs of the United States government. I went grade-school in one place, junior high in another, and high school in yet a different area. My folks really didn’t settle until my dad retired. Family home? That Quonset hut in the 50’s? My grandparent’s house? Or the prefab G.I. Bill structure purchased by my folks about the time I headed to college?

Perhaps I need to explain further. After high school I left my parent’s house. My career, starting with going away to college, found little land to place my feet, until I retired. My job was to travel, and seemingly to relocate. By the time I retired a realtor friend told me that I sold more houses than some of his associates. My own children also have wandering feet. Two of my off spring have moved at least five times since they got married.

Retirement changed a lot of things. First was the blow to be forced to retire twice (two different jobs). Second was the down hill spiral of my health. I think a lot of the problems lay in the fact I haven’t moved in over eight years.

For the last eight years we have lived in the same house…a record. We have many friends – really good friends. But, we have no roots. The day I die I will be considered an outsider in my community. I guess, the current mortgage qualifies our house as the family home. It is the place where relatives and friends gather; albeit, only a handful of our friends are “locals.”

We built our home on two things. Land we had owned; and trust that the Lord would not move us again.

A son called the other day and said he was coming out to the home place. That made me feel good, although he has never lived in the house, he considers it home.

The Lord may call me to my true home any day now, it’s about time. I wonder if my family home with Him will be less transient.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Marilyn Schnepp 
06/06/08
Your story sounds familiar to me; never went to a single school more than two years at best, and that upbringing evidently gave me the moving-bug also...because I too found it difficult to write a story on this subject due to no familiar homestead; but you did a good job...and I can empathize with you. Well done, however! Enjoyed the read!
Beth LaBuff 
06/06/08
I like your description with, "found little land to place my feet" In light of your subject I had to smile at your "I think a lot of the problems lay in the fact I haven't moved in over eight years." Great ending, you had me considering that you would spend eternity in your "true home." Nice work on this.
Glynis Becker
06/06/08
I'm an Air Force brat and have told people through the years that my hometown was a Ryder moving van :) So I hear ya!
Jan Ackerson
06/07/08
How difficult that must have been! I'd loved to have read more, perhaps one specific event you remember from each of your several homes.
Joanne Sher 
06/08/08
Very real - and I love the distinctive "Dub voice," no matter what you may think of it, my friend. I like the last line.
Debbie Wistrom
06/08/08
While not military, our family moved alot too, and so have I.

Glad I'm not alone.
I did appreciate another's viewpoint, you expressed it with out bringing up the drama that often goes with moving so much.
Catrina Bradley
06/09/08
Interesting how your army-brat-constant-moving childhood continued into the career you chose in your adulthood. This piece feels hurried, scattered, and to me it reflects the point - your not having roots, so to speak. The atmosphere of the story matches your life. (Wish I could explain this better.) How difficult it must be not to have someplace to call "home". Nicely done.
Dee Yoder
06/09/08
Even if you never had a permanent home before the one you have now, the way you describe it to others, it's definitely where your heart is. Your family must sense that, too, for them to say they are coming "home". When I was a child, my family moved often, too, so I know the good feeling a home can give.
Lyn Churchyard
06/09/08
It must be so hard for military kids to have to move so often and lose friends almost before you really get to know them. My family weren't military, but I went to 5 different schools in 8 years yuk.

I don't know why, but I felt a distinct restlessness in this piece; possibly the result of necessity of moving so often.

The Lord may call me to my true home any day now, it’s about time. I wonder if my family home with Him will be less transient.

You don't need to worry about your Heavenly home; it will be for eternity :- )
Gerald Shuler
06/11/08
My childhood wasn't military but it was just as "moving". I went to three schools for kindergarten in one year. And it didn't get any better as I got older. All my school memories revolve around being the "new kid".

I understand the restlessness of this piece. You captured it perfectly.
Betty Castleberry
06/11/08
"A son called the other day and said he was coming out to the home place. That made me feel good, although he has never lived in the house, he considers it home." ~

And that is no doubt one of the reasons you love your home now.
Very nicely done.