I am forever grateful to have grown up in a humble home. Nothing was extravagant. Most all our clothing and furniture were second hand. My parents first living room furniture lasted over 20 yrs. It was well worn when it was finally time to replace it. It was a big deal when we got linoleum for the kitchen floor. I have sweet memories of scrubbing that floor with my mom as a little girl, and the rewarding feeling of seeing it shine! But as the years wore on, so did the linoleum. It was quite worn through in large areas when we moved away from our little home. Mom didn't have the finest curtains or rugs, but they were still fine in her estimation. She never went to Kmart or Ames to get the next newest kitchen gadget or switch out her bathroom towels for a new look or because they didn't all match perfectly.
Eating out was a special occassion, and generally with grandparents. What a treat to stay overnight at their place and go to the 61 diner for breakfast, but also what a special treat for grandma to make us her own fried hashbrowns and great grandma's Hungarian thin pancakes.
A new vehicle in our family was unheard of, and Dad would be the one to do all the mechanicle work when the car or truck broke down.
Because we didn't make eating out, or new clothes or time at the mall a regular, we appreciated those special things all the more when we did get them. It was a big deal when we all piled into the car to go to JCPenny's for new shoes!
Of course, there was a point in time that I wished we would have newer, nicer things. But in time, I came to see the wisdom my parents had in living with simple means, and strive to do the same. I have easily and many times got caught up in what I "need" or want for setting up house. Many beautiful things catch my eye in the stores.
Today, as I have my own home, I sometimes have to remind myself that the stains on the carpet or our mixed match furniture is not everything in life.
I have stayed in many homes over the years. Some were humble dwellings with mixed match dinnerware, well worn furnishings and decorated with simple charm. There may be an old quilt with patches hanging on the back of a chair. The lamp shades may be old and cracking.There is nothing fancy, but the people who live in these homes are warm and friendly, and want to make you feel at home.These are homes you can be comfortable and relaxed in.
Then there are other homes that I have been in that are well to do. They are breathtaking. Bedroom suites so lovely, you feel rather like royalty staying in these homes. However, it is so "home and garden magazine cover perfect" that you can't relax should you spoil the sofa by sitting on it. Oftentimes, not always, but oftentimes the people in these homes are not as warm and friendly as the people in the humble homes. The hospitality was kind, but something was lacking. You walk away empty. Though these homes had everything materially beautiful, that was all it was. The people didn't sit and visit the same as the people in the humble homes, and it often seemed that status is what mattered most to them. Again, this is not across the board, but is just what I have observed to often be true. They possibly had no idea the overriding atmosphere there home permeated.
The warmest and friendliest people have been the ones who use material things as resources to be used to bless and serve a purpose. The happiest homes are ones with the well worn floors and furnishings that only add to the warmth and comfort of the home, and should a dish slip from a child's hand, it won't be the end of the world should it break. The dwellers of these homes genuinely care about the people around them. These people I have observed are often the happiest and most content. These are homes I look forward to visiting again and again - the well worn homes where love and warmth permeates - and that I aspire to make my own home like.
