Those thoughts connected me to someone in time that I never even meet.  We bought the house from her daughter some years after she and her husband had passed from this world to the next.  They had the house built and raised 6 children here.  Now it is our turn.  When we bought the house we had lots of wallpaper to tear down, every room to paint, carpet to throw out.  The basement we completely ripped a part and started from scratch.  Not much of the house looks like it did when we first bought it except for that chandelier.  When we walked through the house the first time I said we will have to replace it. However, when it came time and I looked around for lighting I could not find anything more beautifully etched than those globes she picked out 43 years before.  I told my husband we will keep the chandelier.

The chandelier globe connects me to the one who went before me here. Now I live where she lived and I feel her past in this house and it is peaceful.  I know that so many people want to buy new houses and have exactly what they want where they want it.  Who wants to deal with remodeling and old water heaters going out?  As for me I love that she lived here, I mean not just existed within these walls that my family calls home but that she called this place home as well.  Even though I will never meet her or know that much about her I will always feel a connection. That we have as mothers, wives and the woman of this house who cleaned the chandelier globes for a party year after year.  That is a precious realization for me.

Do you live in an old house?  Have you ever felt the connection I spoke of before?  Even if you live in a new house when you have left this world someone will be there raising their family and appreciating your taste and feeling your presence.  We are all connected in this world and the more that we recognize that intricate relationship with others the more we feel like family in this world. We as moms no matter where we are from, what we own or don’t own, how rich or poor,  all have a common bond.  We are all connected in one way or another in this world to each other.  Some connections are easy to recognize like the relationships we have with family and friends.  Others are passed over without even realizing it. Today reflect on the thought that each woman you see could be a mom and in knowing that fact alone she already has a bond with you.

Copyright 2009 Lori Hadorn-Disselkamp

When I was growing up, my mom always took such great care to lovingly decorate our home.  Some years, I feel the urge to decorate a bit more and other years less.  This year was a great year for decorating, as Adam was a big helper and we hosted Greg’s work party, which always inspires me to take some extra steps.

Here are a few photos of our home – I’d love to see yours too, so if you post a home tour on your blog, please drop a comment below with a link so I can come visiting.  I promise to bring a tray of cookies!

Part of our outside lighting.  If it stands still, Greg will hang a strand of Christmas lights on it!
We light up the whole neighborhood.

My favorite of our Nativity Scenes.

Our guest bathroom – I try to keep the boys out of here in December!

Our “Christmas Village” – We had fun setting out all of the pieces this year!

The stockings hung by our chimney, with care, and some of my collection of angels playing the violin

A few of our favorite Santas – can you tell musicians live in my house?

Our Christmas tree and an ever present guitar in the background!

Our Advent wreath – which is also a Nativity.  This is not a very good photo of it, but I love it!

The boys’ collection of Nutcrackers standing guard over the bookshelf!

My favorite part of our Christmas decorations – our outdoor Nativity.  You will note that I have FIVE Wise Men (including twins!) and no shepherds – this is fodder for an upcoming post, but if you see any shepherds, sheep, cows, camels or other related outdoor nativity personnel for sale in your neighborhood, please purchase them for me!!  I’ll send you a check!!  I’m not really in the market for any more wise men though…

Merry Christmas from our home to yours!!!