Honey, I'm Home

We have all said, or heard these words countless times, perhaps in many different addresses. This is true for Dwight and I. When we married, in 1972, Dwight was still in college, I had just received my A.A. and MRS. We were both working full time and were very involved at Church.

We found a very small duplex in Allentown, PA. It was cute and had a workable layout for two college kids in love. The downstairs was basically an open floor plan with an alley sized kitchen. I think I had a total of 2 feet of counter top and an apartment size stove. I painted the walls of that kitchen sunshine yellow and the ceiling fire engine red. I loved it, the landlord didn't.

We entertained many of our college friend couples there. Lots of laughs and fun. Not sure how (or where I did it),but alot of pizza, Texas sheet cake and other goodies where made and shared there.

But the other half of the duplex was empty, as was the garage next door. Our front door opened onto the alley. Our bedroom window looked straight back at the apartment building behind us. And we had to park on the street another alley away from us. Not the ideal walk when you (I) worked second shift and Dwight worked nights. Also there was no lawn--no place for all lawn. The only grass was what happened to grow in the cracks. I missed my grass. So we decided to move, "Honey, I'm home" to a new address.

We where very happy to find a nice, second floor apartment in Bethlehem PA. With lawn. And a small patch for a veggie garden. And a landlady that prayed for us to get 'the blessing'. Sam was born 11 months later and Karin 11 1/2 after him. Thirteen months later, when I found out Kristen was on the way I started packing.

God lead us to Leetonia OH where our three children attended school, made friends, helped us built our home and develop our acre of Shirey property. Lots of lawn, shade trees, fruit trees, and a nice garden.We were very blessed with wonderful friends and opportunities to serve our God. Lots of "I'm home." there.

After an auto accident that messed up Dwight's back, God called Dwight to Pastor a small Church in Warren OH. Another back injury and difficulty traveling led us to Columbus Oh and the expansion of our family with five terrific grandchildren. We are so happy to be able to see them often and watch them grow.

We moved to Columbus Valentines Day 2004. Valentines Day 2010 Dwight was in the hospital with kidney stones. And now, when he is back in his room at the nursing home after dialysis he calls my cell phone and says,

"Honey, I'm home."

Growing Old Together

I try not to allow myself to spend much time thinking about what has been lost to Dwight and I in the last nine and half years, especially the last two. We were settling in quite well to the empty nest and the new career of Pastoring when the injury placed him in the wheelchair. But we adjusted and were doing quite well, it even brought us to Columbus and the joy of seeing our Grandchildren often. It was easy at that point to not even consider the travel plans and other dreams that were gone.

We were still able to go out to eat occasionally. We took short sightseeing trips. Wish we had gone to the Zoo, Dwight would have enjoyed that so much.

Dwight was able to set up a very wheelchair handy wood shop. Several of the neighborhood men would stop in and visit, often most of his time in the shop was conversation time. All the men have told me how much they miss visiting my husband. Even the grouchy lady next door would visit. She was never grouchy with Dwight, even though he is a Steeler fan and she a Browns fan. (Poor Girl) And the grandchildren loved spending time with Papa in 'The Shop'. Isaac and Jackson had begun learning much from their grandfather. Each had their own tools and shop apron. The girls loved sweeping the sawdust around and couldn't wait until they could start 'hammering' with Papa. Those four still talk about Papa coming home and working in the Shop with them. Breaks my heart to know that at some point they will also be heartbroken.

As for growing old together, it maybe happening, but it isn't really. Last night was one those times when Dwight couldn't get his thoughts expressed as desired. He repeatedly told me how much he loves me, he had more to say but it wouldn't form into words for him. He did state many of the things he wishes we could do still....long walks in the country, snuggling on the sofa, sleeping in the same room and many others. I totally agree with him, there are days, times that it is hard to cope with. Your mind wants to scream, "It's not fair." And it's not by the world's standards, but we don't serve the world, we serve God and He has allowed this. We still have each other, our memories and our hope of healing in heaven. We can still hold hands and kiss good night. And talk to each other through out the day on the phone. It could be worse....