‘Home’ has been an awkward term for me for a long time. I’ve moved over 20 times in my lifetime, 17 of them in my 24 years of marriage. So, ‘home’ feels elusive and hard to grasp. But now and then there are moments when my hearts whispers to me ‘this is home’.
When I’m walking down the street and someone calls my name and says hello. That feels like home.
When I’m talking to someone and realize we’ve lived in or visited the same places. That feels like home.
When I share a memory or have history with someone. That feels like home.
When I pull into the driveway of my current home, number 20-something, and the first one we’ve ever owned. This is starting to feel like home.
The city we’ve put roots into over the last four years, Medford. It’s starting to feel like home.
We have neighbors and are neighbors.
We have family down the road.
We’ve made friends.
We have meaningful work in meaningful communities.
And the art part of my heart is flourishing. I’m inspired everyday by the beautiful people that make up the city of Medford. Especially those in my own neighborhood. And that is why I’ve created 18 paintings this year of my neighbors. My beautiful, hard-working, inspiring, West Medford neighbors.
They make this place feel like home.
Come celebrate this place I call home with me and my neighbors next month at Central Art Gallery here in downtown Medford. During Medford’s Third Friday Art Walk from 5:00-8:00 on November 18th I will be exhibiting my West Medford paintings. All are welcome! All are wanted. I hope all of you feel….at home.
