The House That Built Me

Yes its true. We are indeed moving. When I found out, it was all I could do to not burst into tears. The house I live in now is the house I grew up in. Its the only house I remember living in. Its been 15 years. This is the house I love. After anger, tears, and talks with my mom and dad, as well as the promise of a brand new room, walk in closet, AND window seat, I've finally consented to move into a beautiful house just up the street from where we live now, but that is bigger than our house now, so it will be good for us. :) But I do when to take this opportunity to share a little bit about my feelings for this "House that Built Me" (for extra effect, listen to the song by Miranda Lambert, it should be the first one on my playlist at the bottom of the page :)

"I know they say, you can't go home again, I just had to come back one last time."

"Ma'am I know you don't know me from Adam, but these hand prints on the front steps are mine."

Okay, so they aren't exactly on the front steps, but these hand prints are the border of my ceiling in my room. They are a little childish I know, but they've been here for as long as I can remember. Somehow they mean something to me.

"And up those stairs, in that little back bedroom is where I did my homework and I learned to play guitar."

This is the door to my little room in the back of the house. I've did my homework in there, on my bed. I even taught myself to play Joey back there. I would lock myself up in there and wouldn't come out until I'd learned a certain chord or song. I love my little room. I'll miss it.

"And I'll bet you didn't know, under that live oak, my favorite dog is buried in the yard."

My dog, Ike is buried back in that little corner with a big tree over it. I loved Ike so much. I was probably 8 or 9 when he died, and I was devastated. When my dad buried him back there, we planted a tulip over the spot. You can't see it in the picture because the tulip had already bloomed then died. But it blooms every year. I know its silly, but I still miss that dog. He was a huge Lab/Great Dane mix and he seemed especially huge to me as a little girl. He was the best dog, and as cheesy and cliche as this sounds, he truly was "man's best friend" to me and my family. Even Mom loved him enough to let him come in the house in the freezing winters when Ike was old and sick. People in my neighborhood still talk about that big, lovable dog. He even chased away an intruder once... but that's another story.

"I thought if I could touch this place or feel it, this brokenness inside me might start healing. Out here it's like I'm someone else, I thought that maybe I could find myself. I could just come in I swear I'll leave, won't take nothing but a memory from The House That Built Me."
This house has become a symbol of stability to me. It's always been strong and sturdy. My family has been there. In this house, we had Family Home Evening, Prayer, and Scripture Study. Maybe I don't remember anything specifically, but we have them all. My parents have done a great job.

"Mama cut out pictures of houses for years from Better Homes and Gardens magazine. Plans were drawn and concrete poured, nail by nail and board by board Daddy gave life to mama’s dream"
This is more like, my Daddy looked at houses on lines as a hobby. We never really thought we were going to move. Mom didn't want to. She loves our ward and stake. Then along come a house. It was bigger, it was nice, and best of all, it was right up the street and had belonged to an older couple in the ward who we loved very much. (Also, please forgive the terrible picture quality, I took it of a picture they had on Google Maps, so its not very good quality, but pretty much I don't want to go up the street and take a picture because I wasn't feeling good this morning so I didn't go to church and therefore I am wearing shorts and a t-shirt and no makeup. :)

"I thought if I could touch this place or feel it, this brokenness inside me might start healing. Out here it's like I'm someone else, I thought that maybe I could find myself. I could just come in I swear I'll leave, won't take nothing but a memory from The House That Built Me."

"You leave home you move on and you do the best you can. I got lost in this old world and forgot who I am."

"I thought if I could touch this place or feel it, this brokenness inside me might start healing. Out here it's like I'm someone else, I thought that maybe I could find myself. I could just come in I swear I'll leave, won't take nothing but a memory from The House That Built Me."

This is the House That Built Me. And I'll miss it. But I'm also excited for the new opportunity to live in this new house. I'm excited! :)

Thanks for dealing with my cheesiness. :)

~Alison