Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Returning Home

I won't be able adequately to express the emotional significance of my parent's move to West Virginia. If you're not from West Virginia, you probably won't understand. Many of us have a deep love of our native state. West Virginia has a unique, bewitching beauty. I arrived at their home last night.
(My mother has an aversion to curtains.) They now live even further out in the sticks than they did in the North Carolina mountains. Last night my two oldest brothers came over for a visit. These fine men live just down the road from parents. Max (on the left) is a farmer. Mark (on the right) is a handyman/woodworker/builder. Between the two of them, they can do just about anything my parents need.
Between the two of them, they also offer eleven grandchildren, which is a fine perk in living here.
My farmer brother and his lovely wife own a pick-your-own blueberry farm. They're regularly in the papers.
I'll have more to share from here as the days go on. My parents were both born and raised in this state, and their families were from here for generations. My brothers have returned here. I haven't lived in West Virginia since I was four years old, but have returned here for visits many, many times. Rural West Virginia has a haunting, mysterious beauty that gets into your head. As soon as I stepped from the car last night I smelled that smell -- grassy, wet, sweet, earthy. West Virginia. I've never smelled it elsewhere. It's the smell of the long, soft grass in my grandparents' yard, decades ago.
I walked the quarter mile from my brother's farm to my parents' home under a half-moon last night.
It's nice to be in my childhood home.

12 comments:

melissa said...

This post warms me so, and your parents' home is lovely. Oh my, such sweetness.

Thistle Cove Farm said...

WV is special; enjoy your visit.

Dasha said...

What a lovely post! Firstly you are waxing eloquent about the location, but above all else you are sharing obvious love for your family. Priceless. Enjoy your time with your parents. I have lived more than half my life without mine.

Mary Ann Potter said...

I've seen my childhood home several times since my mother went to be with the Lord in 2001 --- driving by, seeing photos (and one video!) taken by an old friend, looking it up online. I didn't go there on our last trip to Michigan. It's odd seeing other folks living there.

About curtains: I only had them in bedrooms and baths on the second floor of our old house. I don't have them at all here on the farm.

Roses, Lace and Brocante said...

A lovely post - it is always lovely returning home, no matter what our age!
Your parents home looks comforting and welcoming, your mother has wing back chairs which look very similar to my own.
It's wonderful for her to have so many grandchildren close by, that's what grandmas love!!

Pom Pom said...

Aw! It sounds like your family is very sentimental about their physical home. I like that! The house looks very cozy. Why doesn't your mom like curtains?

Linda Lee said...

Sounds wonderful, Mary Katherine. I can't wait to read more. Toby and I really enjoy your writing. Linda

Linda Wolfe said...

I always enjoy your posts! My husband was born in Western Pennsylvania and says the same thing about the smell.

Kezzie said...

Oh how lovely!!! So lovely to see your family and enjoy the peace and space. x

Anonymous said...

Loved reading this post, MK!! :)

xx Jeannie

Lisa Richards said...

I like the curtainless windows. They let in lots of sunshine and views! I love your parents' home and I think I know what you mean about the haunting, mysterious feeling of the place. It sounds like a magical place to go back to. Have a great time with your family!

Leslie said...

I have an aversion to curtains, too. It was good to "meet" your family. What a treasure your parents have in the three of you!