Finishing Touches

When I first started out on my own – I had pretty much nothing. My parents lent me an old VCR player and some shelves, a friend lent me some dishes, etc. Then, when I got married we acquired a few things of our own but still had a lot of “his and hers” as well as ‘hand-me-down” items.



Just a few years ago my husband and I finally purchased our OWN bedroom set. We had been using a frame we bought from my cousin and nightstand and drawers that I got in high school! We were so excited to have matching pieces and a ‘grown up” set that we had picked out together.


As we start to travel, we have also accumulated a few items from special locales. My husband brought back a beautiful painting and some carvings from Africa. We have a tapestry from Peru, and other special mementos. It has been such a delight to be able to replace dollar store knickknacks with items that actually have memories and meaning attached to them!


I am amazed at young people starting out on their own. It seems like they want to “set up” house and have it encompass what someone who has been working for 30 years and married for 15 has. They don’t “get” the fact that you have to earn things. Sure, I started out with borrowed items, hand-me-downs and cheap décor from dime shops. But I was so happy and thankful to have it because otherwise I would have done without.


I will never forget the first time I went and purchased a big piece of furniture on my own. I was living in Las Vegas and I bought a “barrel chair” (those round wicker kind) for $99. I was SOOO excited. For you see, I was living in an apartment and had been sitting on the floor until then! That barrel chair lasted into the early years of our marriage before my husband told me that someone was going to get hurt on it (it would slip when sat in) and we finally got rid of it. But to this day, my heart smiles when I see one for it brings back such sweet memories. There is something to be said for earning and working hard for things.


Today, we still have some hand-me-downs. I’m working and dreaming of the day when I can replace some of them and put the “finishing touches” on my home. A home is an extension of someone’s personality and mine has slowly but surely been turning into the kind of home I truly feel like myself in. But regardless of what has been in my home and even though it hasn’t always looked like a catalogue, I have always been proud. For you see, pride comes with a thankful heart and I’ve truly been thankful.


My home is truly becoming a special place. I treasure the gifts that have been given to us with our thoughts and tastes in mind. I adore the pieces we’ve brought back from our travels or the loving pieces my children have made for me. For it all focuses on what truly matters to me – relationships.