The Making of a Home

This June will mark three years since our house fire. During the nine long months that we were displaced, I desperately yearned to be back in our home, even though I knew it would never be the same. Our family of five bounced between six hotels within the first four weeks, before finally landing in a rental home in a neighboring town. Despite our circumstances, I started gathering the items we’d need to create a home that felt warm and inviting. 

One of the first projects I tackled after moving back home, was to sew curtains for our sunroom. Naturally, there were plenty of delays, after losing everything in the fire. First, I had to replace my sewing machine as well as all the supplies needed for this project: scissors, pins, thread, needles, etc. Then, I had to find the right fabric. Eventually, I settled on a navy stripe ticking for the curtains. Regardless of the slow start, the more I got involved in this project, the more settled I felt. 

As I measured, cut and pinned each of the ten panels, I felt a familiar spark. It was gradual at first, but as I continued sewing and hanging the panels, our sunroom began to feel more alive… and so did I.

While hanging the last round of panels, I heard a little girl talking to her Mom as they walked by our house. Watching me from the sidewalk, she asked her Mom what I was doing. Our neighbor’s sweet response brought tears to my eyes as she tenderly responded, “She’s making a home for her family”.

She was right. From repurposing antiques to my countless attempts to master the art of homemade pizza, I am making a home for my family…once again. I’ll post my progress along the way with a series titled, “The Making of a Home”.