Friday, January 16, 2009

No Place Like Home

I arrived home to a fully furnished new home. The pictures were hung on the walls, which were freshly painted. New curtains hung in the dining room – sheer panels of purple, turquoise and gold. A new leather sofa courtesy of Wendy and Edith rested against the living room windows. Mayra and Natta playfully taped one of my bras overtop of the bare breasts on one of the paintings and Lucy made a Welcome Home sign to which all of the helpers contributed a signature. Edith bought plush plum towels and John put in a new sink and a piece of wood to ramp an abrupt drop between the kitchen and dining room and he is coming back on Saturday to see what else he can fix.

There was a large and enthusiastic workforce by all accounts, which was led by Edith, Kathy and Wendy who were also the Welcome Home Committee, making sure I had food, a shower and a high enough toilet so the transfer to the wheelchair is easier. Oh, yes and my wheelchair is now swathed in leopard skin.

It is impossible to describe how it feels to come home to a HOME you’ve never seen and have it feel like home. It’s as nice a place as I’ve lived my whole adult life and so festive and colorful! It’s impossible to describe how it feels to know so many people were there for you, chipping in. It’s impossible to give enough credit to my “moving captains” who think of absolutely everything and there’s no amount of thanks that feels sufficient.

Mayra and Natta are organizing a Mexican dinner complete with FIREDANCING to thank everyone so that’s a start! Next week Kris will begin the task of organizing the kitchen and closet and Mac and I will nail down plans for our next trip!

Mac is loving his internship with a local legislator and is already working on writing a bill! He is finishing of his sophomore credits and if all goes according to plan he’ll be junior at Berkeley this coming fall and continue working at the State senator’s office. Life is good as the t-shirt says.

It’s great to be home.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

ABSOLUTELY UPLIFTING to read you latest story. It is so joyous to all of us anonymous folks to read the joy in your words describing your new home. Also there is the joy of your love for those friends that help make you new home YOUR HOME!

Love to all of you from across the bay.

Now, when do we get to see some photos...how about on FLICKR?

Anonymous said...

Welcome home. I am glad your new place is user friendly and ready decorated!! Sound heavenly, and that from a control freak. You certainly packed a lot into your Australian holiday. Most people holidays would seen tame by comparison.

Enjoy your space. Love to you and Mac.

Karen

Anonymous said...

can you please have a party at your new home and invite all your devoted bloggers? or shall i call us folks your "blog fans?" (anonymous or otherwise!) of course, make it "pot luck!"

love you!

Anonymous said...

You deserve all the good that comes your way. It wouldn't be happening if you weren't a wonderful mother, daughter, and friend.

Love, Pat

Anonymous said...

Welcome back, Carla!

Anonymous said...

All blessings upon all those energetic, creative, gorgeous and incredibly resourceful New-Home-Angels.

In awe,

Stephanie

Anonymous said...

" Bless This Home
May its windows catch the sun
And its doors open wide to friends and loved ones. May each room resound with laughter.
May the walls shut out troubles
And hold in warmth and cheer.
May this home be filled with joy in the morning
And sweet dreams in the night.
May it be a home where love has come to live…."

sending blessings,love and happiness to your new home.

your faithful reader,
maggie

Anonymous said...

Home

Home is the place your heart resides
Home is the place that you decide
Home is the womb that holds the soul
Home is the place where one is whole

Home is the glow you hold in your eye
Home is the emotion that makes you cry
Home is safe and a place of peace
Home is where all strivings cease

Home is protective against the others
Home is full of sisters and brothers
Home is where you find your rest
Home is where you feel your best

Home is a memory that follows your being
Home is a dream for those agreeing
Home is the place where reserves fall
Home is the place you yearn to call

Home is where the family meets
Home is a place of restful retreats
Home is the place you know you’ll be heard
Home is the pace where nothing blurs

Home is all these wonderful things
Home is the place you develop wings
Home is the place that you’ll find one day
Home is the place where your heart will stay

October 2,2008

Lisa Emry

Anonymous said...

I ALSO truly enjoy reading the COMMENTS your devoted following make. The love, appreciation and support is everywhere among your community. Your energy attracts beautiful like-minded individual spirits!

Megan Lynch said...

You and your loving network of friends continue to inspire. Enjoy your new domus!

Anonymous said...

Greetings from Australia! It's already tomorrow here!
Great to meet you via my friend in San Francisco. I think she suspects we are soul sisters...all the wild wanderings, delight in laughter and an interesting take on the world.
Aren't friends just the most wonderful thing? Yours sound like national living treasures...

Thank you for the few moments I've known you.It is always amazing where teachers come from.

Sophie in Brisbane - listening to the magpies and cockatoos for you.

Anonymous said...

Welcome back and welcome home. You have some very amazing friends. I am happy that you are in a place better suited to your current needs.

Anonymous said...

Did you eat the Vegimite?

Anonymous said...

Dearest Carla,

There was a moving essay by Richard Rodriguez last night on the News Hour, titled “Saying Goodbye”. While its take-off point was on presidential farewells, it reminded me in so many ways of your journey, and it touched me greatly. Last performances by artists who leave their art before their audiences are ready to let them go: “every curtain call is an artist's negotiation with inevitability”. The physical act of waving goodbye with an open hand, he notes, is “an acknowledgement of all we cannot hold”. This echoed the message in your blog a few weeks ago, about the challenges of ALS seeming more than one person could be expected to hold. I deeply appreciate your strength in using this blog not only to inspire us, update us, and make us laugh, but to say goodbye, and to give us a chance to say goodbye to you. You can find the essay on the PBS website.
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/white_house/jan-june09/presfarewell_01-20.html

Namaste,
A fellow yogini.