I genuinely enjoy captivating narratives, whether I am hearing, reading, or occasionally sharing them.
I started writing for this blog 14 years ago, initially driven purely by enjoyment, without understanding how to achieve blog growth, monetization, or Google SEO ranking.
My early writings chronicled immediate life events that held little appeal for Google search, yet I preferred writing about genuine life experiences for real people.
This reflection came to mind as I prepare for a flight back to the country lanes of my small hometown in Montana; I eagerly anticipate embracing my family again.
While much has transformed since then, my affection for my family remains unchanged!
(For those new to Bildirimlerim, my dear Mom passed to Jesus on New Year’s Eve 5 years ago.)
***
Sitting in my office with birds chirping outside, a small bit of culture shock hits me; yesterday at this time, I was driving a Montana road with my sister, and now, thanks to contemporary travel, I am at my island home in BC, Canada.
Over the last 10 days, I explored the familiar paths of the past ~
leading to my childhood residence,
observing the cows grazing in their preferred spot,
and being mesmerized by stunning sunsets and mountain vistas.
I even walked through my High School corridors and visited the cemetery for the first time since my father's funeral 20 years prior.
I returned to my origin: my childhood home, my family's home, the home of my siblings, nieces, nephews, and their burgeoning, sweet little families.
It was also my mom's home.
God fulfilled a deep wish in my heart; I managed to kiss her lovely cheek and express my love.
Furthermore, I joined my brothers and sisters as we celebrated her 81st birthday with hours of singing around the piano.
These recent days have been a busy rush—traveling, shopping, planning, visiting, meeting, dining, hugging, reading, and laughing... (Especially laughing.)
Now I am back at my other beloved home; it felt wonderful to be greeted warmly by a husband who missed me greatly…
Greetings. Farewells. And Home.
Though being so distant from so many cherished individuals brings a touch of sadness, my heart overflows with gratitude for the family God bestowed upon me—for my brothers and sisters who shared moments of sorrow and loss with me before~
They showed me that despite tears and grief, there remains joy, blessing, and hope because of Jesus.
A private hope for this trip was to sing Mom the lullaby she used to sing to us children; I never voiced this wish aloud, but guess what? I sang it to her (without even weeping!!) ~ not alone, but with all 5 of us children together. It is an incredibly treasured memory for me. Even though dementia has silenced Mom’s singing and speech, as we sang that final song, I noticed her finger tapping the wheelchair arm just a bit…
In perfect tempo.
Updates
By the way, the image of my ancestral residence shows where my brother and sister-in-law currently reside. This structure surpasses 100 years in age, yet they have restored it with remarkable elegance! You can view a glimpse of the interior.
