Memories, Part 3

The other day, my uncle send me a web site where you could put in your address, anyone's address, and voila! There's the house. Since I'd been feeling a bit nostalgic lately, I dialed in the address of the house in which I grew up. The site allowed you to maneuver around so you could see a few angles, including the front of the house. Even though the new owners have changed it some, yeah, it's the same - home.

Also during the time, I began listening to a new song by young country singer, Miranda Lambert, "The House That Built Me." It speaks of a young woman who, in an effort try and find herself, goes back to the home that she grew up in. Since my dad sold the house I've had a couple of opportunities to drive back by there, and it always hits me - hard. It's not my home anymore. I can't go back.

I can't even begin to tell you how many times I wish I could go back home, back to the way things were when I was a kid, when my mom was alive. The four of us living a good life together. Not a perfect life, but a good life. We didn't have a lot, but we never wanted for anything. I couldn't have asked for a better mom and dad. I was so very lucky. And sometimes I miss that life so, so very much.

The House That Built Me
I know they say you can’t go home again
I just had to come back one last time
Ma’am I know you don’t know me from Adam
But these handprints on the front steps are mine

Up those stairs in that little back bedroom
Is where I did my homework and I learned to play guitar
I bet you didn’t know under that live oak
My favorite dog is buried in the yard

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it
This brokenness inside me might start healing
Out here it’s like I’m someone else
I thought that maybe I could find myself
If I could just come in I swear I’ll leave
Won’t take nothing but a memory
From the house that built me

Mama cut out pictures of houses for years
From Better Homes and Gardens magazine
Plans were drawn and concrete poured
Nail by nail and board by board
Daddy gave life to mama’s dream

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it
This brokenness inside me might start healing
Out here it’s like I’m someone else
I thought that maybe I could find myself
If I could just come in I swear I’ll leave
Won’t take nothing but a memory
From the house that built me

You leave home and you move on and you do the best you can
I got lost in this old world and forgot who I am

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it
This brokenness inside me might start healing
Out here it’s like I’m someone else
I thought that maybe I could find myself
If I could just come in I swear I’ll leave
Won’t take nothing but a memory
From the house that built me