Home for the Holidays...Sort of...

  Several folks came to visit the Little Bayou House this afternoon.  My sweet sister-in-law came first and is always a delight.  She and I can sit back with a mug of hot coffee and spill out any problems that may be bothering us.  The time shared can usually solve the situation and we part ways much happier than before.  Just as she and I were settling in for our chat, a knock was heard at the back door.  Huh?  Not many folks come to the back of the house but, sure enough, there were two of Son's childhood friends standing on the porch.   What a surprise to see two of my "adopted" sons!  These two young men have been coming to the Bayou since they were small lads.  Two generations of folks sat and chatted as if all was right with the world.

  One of these young men is in the air force and has wandered the world with his job.  At one point, he made the statement that "I always like coming home to this house."  Wow.  That "home" bit was pretty strong.  It made me start thinking of how so many of these young folks come back "home" here.  They have told me time and time again that this is where they found stability in their topsy-turvy lives.  The Bayou and Little Bayou House was a place of security for them when they were youngsters and, now, it is a place of happy memories.   

  It seems that my little bit of paradise, is also an idyllic setting in the minds of a lot of folks who have passed through my life.  So many folks have proclaimed that there is something here that brings peace but it never occurred to me that a good many feel that this is their only memory of what a true "home" is like.  Not a house, not a building but a home.  A place where these folks can return and find comfort.  

  As the young men prepared to leave, they both gave huge hugs and one bent over to whisper in this old lady's ear "Thanks, Other Mother, for letting me come home for the holidays."  Tears welled up in my eyes.  "Son, you are always welcome here on the Bayou."  Another hug and the two were off to see their real families.  Wow.  The heartstrings were pulled a bit tighter.  Perhaps there really is something magical about this place.  I feel it.  Others do, too, obviously.