Wednesday, September 12, 2007

There's No Place Like Home

Doesn't it feel great to cross the threshold of your home after a long day at work? My daily life at work is usually not too bad but even a good day is exhausting. Each afternoon after my workday is over, I walk down nine flights of stairs and through the park to the parking garage. When I settle into my car and turn the key I breathe a sigh of relief and say a prayer of gratitude that it's time to go home. I drive a few blocks to my wife's office and wait for her. Everyday, when she gets into the car, she looks at me, sometimes laying her head on my shoulder, and says, "Mike, we've got to get out"! I know what she means and why she says it. As two people in their mid fifties, we've spent most of our adult lives working and making all the changes and adaptations that modern work requires. There is a point where the weariness sets in. It's a kind of battle fatigue. Returning home each day is like finding your base camp where there is relative safety, food, and a place to sleep. My home, in spite of all its imperfections, is my castle and refuge. When I was young, especially when I was still living with my parents, I couldn't get out of the house fast enough. I wanted my freedom. Now that I am older I can't get home fast enough. Some days I don't want to leave it. Every night, after cleaning up and changing my clothes, I quickly find my way to my little hideaway where I sit in my chair, listen to music, and read the morning paper. Usually I fall asleep soon afterwards. I feel like Bilbo Baggins in his little hobbit house. Dorothy was right when she told the Wizard of Oz, "There's no place like home"!

1 comment:

Bryan said...

What's it mean when you feel that way in your mid 30's? :-)