Fiction and life . . . from the desk of Gwen M. Plano
  • Home
  • Blog Reflections
  • REDEMPTION THRILLER
  • THE CONTRACT Series
  • My Memoir
  • Poetry
  • About

What is home?

7/22/2017

16 Comments

 
by Gwendolyn M Plano
Picture
​    
More than a year ago, my husband and I glimpsed homelessness. We had traveled to a family reunion, and in our absence, a water filtering system under the kitchen sink burst and flooded the house with 35,684 gallons of water. The damage was enormous. Over the months that followed, we lived in eight different hotels, timeshares and condos with only a suitcase of clothes between us. It was an experience that taught us a great deal about construction - and home.

For most of us, home is synonymous with comfort. The familiarity of the simple things of life settles our souls and offers rest for our busy lives. It is both the place to which we escape and the place in which we welcome friends and family. It is an extension of who we are, for we create it in our likeness.
​
If we lose our home, we lose part of ourselves. 

​In our case, all that touched the floor was destroyed – all furniture, cabinetry, all piles of papers and books waiting to be read, boxes of photographs and tax returns. Yes, almost everything was destroyed.

Numb by what we saw that fateful night when we returned to our house, I pulled paintings and photos from our walls and stacked them in my car. What I didn’t realize at the time was that I was bringing home with me.

We surround ourselves with stories – family stories, friend stories, dream stories. They live with us and become part of us. Even when we are alone in our home, it is these stories that keep us company. I didn’t know this until we lost our home.

Today I share a few of my rescued pieces and their stories, to explain my point.

                                      ***
This first painting is of the fire that raged through Laguna Beach in the mid 1990s and consumed hundreds of homes. The artist, a gentle man named Jeff Hurlbut who worked at the same college as I, gifted me this painting. We had shared tears over the loss of his son and found common ground in art. I’m ever so glad that one of his masterpieces hangs in my home reminding me of him and his family.​ Neither of us could have known that one day his painting would have special meaning because of another loss.

Picture
​
​My daughter painted this second piece. I have several of her paintings hanging in our home, and each carries a special part of her and thus a part of me.

I love this one for its passion and its promise. Her years in ballet and her love of art find expression on canvas where life meets possibility. She sees that which some of us might miss, and the stories of times past come alive in the present.  

Picture
​This final piece, painted by a Chinese calligrapher visiting the United States, is entitled Compassion. He offered a class on Eastern philosophy and sold his work to cover his travel expenses.

When I look at this painting, I think of the artist and his courage – and I'm always reminded of the universal appeal of compassion. 

​                                            ***
If you returned to your home and realized you had only minutes to retrieve some of your precious belongings, what would you take with you? Your answer will tell you about home.
​
Maya Angelou said: “I long, as does every human being, to be at home wherever I find myself.”

I discovered that stories bring me home. Do they you? 


16 Comments
Tina Frisco link
7/23/2017 16:28:15

This is an amazing post, Gwen. Our home is our heart, our soul, our very breath. I have so much compassion for the homeless. Any one of us is but a mere step away from being there ourselves. Your daughters's artwork is beautiful. So glad you were able to rescue it ♥

Reply
Gwen Plano
7/24/2017 19:22:00

Thank you, Tina. And, thank you for your acknowledgement of my daughter's work. She will be elated to read this! Have a wonderful evening. ♥

Reply
Davy D link
7/24/2017 05:15:51

Great post and a great question Gwen and one I shall ponder for most of this week. I think we sometimes become complacent and take the things like home and our possessions for granted and only when they are threatened do we remember the importance. I agree with Tina your daughters artwork is stunning.

Reply
Gwen Plano
7/24/2017 05:34:37

Thank you so much, Davy. And, I'll let my daughter know you like her work. It will make her very happy. Have a great day!

Reply
Jan Sikes
7/24/2017 06:32:38

What a beautiful post, Gwen. You are so right, that home is what we surround ourselves with, like your paintings. I've lived in lots of different places but always feel at home when I get Rick's artwork on the walls.

Reply
Gwen Plano
7/24/2017 07:08:15

Thank you, Jan. Certain items comfort our souls, don't they? Rick travels with you and makes sure of it. ♥

Reply
John Fioravanti
7/24/2017 06:47:58

A wonderful post, Gwen. It brings back memories to those of us who experienced that period with you. I still marvel at the way you handled those difficult months - with grace and peace of spirit. Thanks for this reminder of the significance of 'home' - both physically and psychologically.

Reply
Gwen Plano
7/24/2017 07:10:36

Thank you, John. I've lived many places and brought the things I cared about with me. This experience taught me why such items are so important. Have a great day!

Reply
Mae Clair link
7/24/2017 06:49:58

I can't imagine having lost what you did, but the treasures you rescued are beautiful. The question you raise has me wondering what I would do in the same situation. I believe I would take cherished memories of those I Iove, including the few paintings I have which my father did as a young man. Also, a small glass bluebird which my husband gave me many years ago and which has strong sentimental value for me. I have often thought that I will never part with that bluebird no matter where I go in life.

Wonderful thought-provoking and touching post, Gwen!

Reply
Gwen Plano
7/24/2017 07:14:36

Thank you, Mae. Your bluebird is a treasure, perhaps with a story you might someday share? :) I'm entranced! Have a wonderful day!

Reply
Julie Watson
7/24/2017 07:21:16

I can't imagine what it must have been like when you discovered all the water that flooded your home, the disruption and the loss. Incredible what you went through and that you came out the other side. Thank for showing us your rescues Gwen. Lovely art.

Reply
Gwen Plano
7/24/2017 09:13:05

Thank you, Julie. It was an experience that opened my heart to those facing loss - of home. I didn't know before... Have a wonderful day.

Reply
john howell link
7/24/2017 08:05:41

Marvelous post, Gwen. Your question of what to take in an emergency that would remind me of home caused me to think hard. I have one item which is a music box that plays the theme from Unchained Melody. My wife gave it to me when we needed to separate because of a new job. I used to listen to the song at night and felt closer to her even though we were thousands of miles apart. We have lived in a number of places and I always consider wherever she is to be home. I can't think of anything else that would completely fill the bill.

Reply
Gwen Plano
7/24/2017 09:10:38

Oh John, how extraordinarily beautiful! A song that bridges distance and brings you to your loved one is definitely a song to cherish and one that will survive any tragedy. Thank you for sharing this. :)

Reply
D.L. Finn
7/24/2017 18:08:10

My heart goes out to you and coming home to that, but I love how you took that and were able to see what ended up being important to you. Beautiful pictures and the stories behind them. I loved all your pictures and the stories behind them. That is what a home is a collection of stories and memories. I've been in the situation of almost having to evacuate for a fire and had to decide what was important to take. It is a eye opening experience like you said to see what you would take.

Reply
Gwen Plano
7/24/2017 19:18:44

Thank you, D. L. I love your comment that a home is a collection of stories and memories....so, so true! Fires are a frightening possibility in the West. I hope you and yours are spared its terror. Blessings....

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    For blog updates, please subscribe below. 
    * indicates required

    RSS Feed


    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    June 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013

Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. ―Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning


Plano Enterprises, LLC
Photos used under Creative Commons from Kevin M. Gill, Joel Bedford, qthomasbower, crosescribe, Juho Holmi, diana_robinson, W Presley & B Kunce Photography......WI. USA, U.S. Geological Survey, Ian Sane, florianric, NikoMC, van Van Es, Yen Chao 趙彥, MissMessie, Yuriy Kuzin, Ben Zvan, Bichuas (E. Carton), Nina Matthews Photography, hehaden, alexdecarvalho, Tim RT, Kurdistan Photo كوردستان, Candida.Performa, peddhapati (Thanks for 1M Views!!!), Jhong Dizon | Photography, Waheed Akhtar Photography, lawmurray, USFWS Pacific, JalilArfaoui, SurFeRGiRL30, Lauren Finkel Photography, maf04, SantaRosa OLD SKOOL, Dakiny, vauvau, Zanastardust, Monica's Dad, timpeartrice, marumeganechan, Rafael Acorsi, seyed mostafa zamani, Jorge Franganillo, Irene Grassi (sun sand & sea), The National Guard, D.Fletcher, nada abdalla, Ted LaBar, alison.mckellar, Infomastern, Elvert Barnes, m01229, theglobalpanorama