Moving abroad taught me a great deal about the power of home. I’ve visited in so many forms of homes! Small huts, tiny apartments, mansions, and everything in between! Every time I was invited in to someone’s home I couldn’t believe the opportunity! To see how a cosmopolitan family lives in Barcelona compared to a rural Berber hut in the Middle Atlas Mountains… I mean, wow. There was Paris, Marseille, Fez, Zurich, Beijing, and even the African bush of South Africa… just to name a few! And oh! The personalities of each home- some dazzling in gold, others humble and raw… it’s no wonder that I can never make up my mind which style I love the most! Every single one of them was so beautiful and unique and I loved them all!
But no matter the style or location, home was the epicenter of life for each and every one of the families. It was the center of family life and a place far beyond what experts say is our very human need- shelter. Oh no no. That only described the walls and the roof. Our souls- they need a home- a place of refuge… a place that nurtures and restores… A place to celebrate and also to unwind… To not just dine, but to be sustained …To not just sleep, but to love and to rest.
If there is only one thing you ever take from me, I hope it is this. Your home is your haven. It is the epicenter of your life and creating a place that restores your soul and makes your heart happy is the only agenda I have ever had and will ever have.
Does the height of your curtain rod and the type of sofa matter? Yes! Why? Because all the decisions you make when creating your home dictate how YOU will feel in it. But the real soul of the home is YOU and those your share your home with!
So, as we are quickly winding down the month of January, I encourage you to take time to acknowledge how far you’ve come in creating your home and enjoy it! Take time this weekend to sit in the living room, linger at the dining table, and, if possible, even sleep in and have breakfast in bed… ohh and maybe take a long bath, too!
We must do more than decorate our homes- we must LIVE in them! So, cheers, my sweet friends! I wish you a wonderful weekend full of laughter and the happiest of moments! xxV
Thank you, Mrs. Fossil for your blog.