What Once Was Old.....

Our household has been going through some major changes of late. As families grow and change, so do lifestyles and priorities. Recently, it became apparent that my mother needed to make a change in her lifestyle. She was needing a little help managing, and her home was no longer working for her. We decided the best thing was for her to move in with us. When we remodeled our home, we dug out a basement with exterior access, bathroom, laundry room and large open space which became my office. We decided to consolidate my office and split the space in two so Mom could have a little studio and her own bathroom. The Laundry Room will eventually become a kitchenette for her....but one step at a time.

Every day, I thank the powers that be for my husband, Tim. Not every husband would welcome their MIL into their home with open arms. Not only that, he built a wall to separate the space in the basement, complete with French door. He moved box after box of books and household "stuff". He emptied her garage and gave up his parking space in our garage so we could store her things there. He made sure the SureWest guys wired her new room for TV and phone. He was there when the glass shower door was installed in the bathroom. He painted and cleaned. Now that Mom is here, he makes her dinner and lets her do the crossword puzzle....formerly his territory. Sometimes they do it together. All of this he does in addition to all of the other things he does, large and small, for our family. (Last night he brought home poinsettias for the front porch). It is a rare thing to hear any peep of impatience. It is a rare thing to have a husband like this.

So.....this Holiday Season, I feel overwhelmed with appreciation for my husband. He is better than any present I could wish for. He is better than any vacation, car or house. He is better than diamonds. Let me rephrase.....he IS my diamond. There is an abundance in his care for us.

When Tim and I were moving my mother's things out of her garage, we discovered a little table. It was a bit forlorn, covered in cobwebs and water stained, but it charmed me none the less. The top had come off and had broken in two, but the rest was in pretty solid shape. Someone had lovingly built this table and I decided it was time to put it back to good use. A few finish nails to put the top back on, and a couple of coats of paint, and it is a wonderful little perch for a drink and a book. It may go through more changes.... A different color, or removal of the paint for a lime wash effect. I haven't decided yet. It will evolve over time....like our family....like us.