A House Is Not A Home

Sweet and lilting laughter, that fill four walls of any empty space

From outdoors- a little one runs toward you; you scoop them up and clean their dirty face

Their silly jokes, delighted giggles- their laughter and their smile

Swelling your heart with love and joy- experiencing life through the eyes of a child

Notches on a wall to chart the spurted growth

Then one day you are keeping tabs on not only one, but both

Watching them play together as they share or argue over a toy

Cooking, cleaning, refereeing; tired- but never weary of the joy

Family get togethers to celebrate holidays and birthdays

Reminiscing on how time flies- oh my, wasn’t it just yesterday?

But what happens when unforeseen circumstances take away the walls and doors?

The furniture, the rooms, the creaky wooden floors

What happens when once what was- suddenly gets taken away?

With a heavy heart and mind, it’s time to find a new space

You look at their saddened faces because they must leave the only place they know

Where they opened their eyes each morning- the place they used to learn and grow

You comfort them and assure them that everything will be alright

But at this moment you can only ponder a new place to rest each future night

You read their favorite story- you kiss and hug them tight

As they slumber -you cry quietly and pray that God’s merciful relief will soon be in sight

You hurt because of the changes, but when you feel alone

Remember their sweet faces to rid the pain of what is gone

Become flooded with memories of playing and the meals that your children help you cook

Remember, “Mommy can I draw you a picture after you read me a book?”

It’s not the picket fences, manicured lawn or flowers grown

It’s the gift of your loving family- not a house that makes a home

For, four walls covered with plaster, or rooms that are furniture filled

These are not the things to which a home is made real