So, we have turned the calendar page to November. I am always amazed at how quickly time flies. When November rolls around, it becomes close to that time when families begin talking about who will host Thanksgiving dinner; when everyone will be available to celebrate Christmas; and whether everyone will be available to come home this year. I have heard some of those conversations myself already. These discussions remind me of a

“Home is people. Not a place. If you go back there after the people are gone, then all you can see is what is not there any more.” – Robin Hobb

This quote is certainly true for me. I grew up in a very small Illinois town. I lived practically my entire early life there and knew almost everyone in town. But, my parents are gone and my siblings all live elsewhere. I have had no family members there for many years. On my last visit, it was a very comfortable, familiar place that I enjoyed seeing. I remember the school building where I attended from K through Grade 12… in one building. I visited the baseball field where I played hundreds of games. The old grocery store building where I bought baseball cards with money I saved from collecting recyclable soft drink bottles is still there. I used to ride my bicycle all over town. I drove by the railroad crossing where two of my basketball teammates and a mother lost their lives and, in many ways, ended my childhood. The house where I grew up looks so small and run down… not at all as I remembered. Despite all the familiarity of that town, it was no longer home to me. And, the reason is clear — I no longer have any family members there.

As you think about your plans for the upcoming holidays, it would be good for you to watch the short video clip linked below. I think it will give you better perspective on family as you think about your upcoming plans. And, it might even spur you to taking some long-overdue action today. Watching this will be well worth the less than two minutes you’ll spend and it might change how you view the upcoming holidays.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6-0kYhqoRo

Have a wonderful day! It might be the best one you’ve ever had.