Memories of My Childhood Home by the MO Broker

"Memories of My Childhood Home"- Thanks to Jason Crouch, a favorite peer in the RAIN, I have a new writing assignment.

Rules are to write authenticity and share my story of where I 'grew up'.

First I have to say I am honored that Jason thinks that I have grown up. Now if I could just get that kind of respect from the agents around here. (just kidding) As a disclaimer, I have to confess that after the age of 40 I think I started to revert back to the simpler (is that childlike?) way of looking and participating in life.

As brick and mortar buildings go I have have several childhood 'homes' thanks to my parents and the governments rule about moving civil servants every four years. (Either that or dad had a hard time holding a job- sorry, not true, it was the Feds) As a Real Estate Agent in adulthood I wonder if back in the 60's and 70's there was some sort of stimulus program going for moving companies. (I meant the 1960's & 70's- we all know that even I was not around in the eighteen hundreds- don't go there)

I was born on Wake Island, I don't remember the birth, but I do remember growing up to the wise ole age of nine on the rock. Wake is an atoll in the Pacific Ocean, located southwest of Hawaii. If anyone asks when I get ready to run for President, I am a Citizen. Wake was a territory during the time of my birth and I have proven my citizenship when I applied for a passport. It only took, producing copies of both parents birth records and marriage certificate and my original micro film copy of the event. (If I remember I had to throw in my marriage papers too) Funny that I was citizen enough to work and pay taxes all those years but had to prove it to get ticket out of the country to visit our daughter in Japan.

When I first read about the writing assignment (contest) I had thoughts of going all mushy and break out the tissue-style. You know throw in the May-berry RFD and a fishing pole too. Truth is as an adult I have learned to think like an adult. It is hard to remember the childhood in real terms. I know that the good memories really weren't as good as I remember and the bad weren't as bad. Life just was, I learned, I grew, I grow-ed up a bit and start reproducing- there is nothing like having your own children to make your childhood seem more exciting.

In the spirit of moving every four years, I got to experience the lovely state of West Virginia for my upper elementary years. One classmate in particular is still a good friend, I met her the first day of school and could write a book about how much she means to me. Leaving Princeton, W VA the summer after 7th grade was bitter sweet. Personally I thought we should stay there forever, especially after I had to take state history. In hind site I was glad to go. The boys were all kids I knew from grade school and my new home in OKC, OK had way cuter Jr High 'young men'. It did stink when I had to take OK state history the following summer.

Good thing this post is not about adolescence b/c even I have a hard time putting a good spin on that. Only thing I can figure is the LORD knew what he was doing when he mixed the endorphins in our brains b/c seeing it again when my kids hit the teen years was an eye opener. Let's just say I called my mom alot and apologized. Oldest grandson is 5 so I should be getting those calls from our son in about 8 years.

Home is where your heart is. My heart has always been anywhere my family is. I have fond memories of places I lived as a child. I think that is one of the blessing of childhood. I couldn't tell you what the taxes are on those first homes or the mortgage payment. My parents did a wonderful job of providing for us in the sense that we never thought we were rich or poor. We were allowed to be children not have the worries of mini-adults. We didn't even know the sacrifices until we lived them loving our own children.

When I work with Buyers I stress that the HOME is not the structure, that is the HOUSE. Don't buy to keep up with anyone, past or present or future. When they hire me to help find the right place, they are getting my whole life experience and my two cents worth too. For me success is living within your means and having a life outside of the house payment. A home for your kids is (dare I say it?) not just the roof over their heads but the parents who love each other enough to meet the entire family's needs.

To cap it off, here's the life lesson: HOME = Relationships with loved ones + shelter from life's storms.

I can't wait to see what the next writing assignment is- be good cheryl