When things choose you... #sol15






This week, I read Sarah Brown Wessling's "A Letter to My Children: What It Means to Be a Teacher"
(I highly recommend you read it too!) Sarah writes, "What I want you to know is that there are things in this world that you will choose, and there are things in this world that will choose you."  

That line struck me as so very, very true.  I believe that we come to occupations, and places and people for reasons that we might not even understand, but always for a reason.  

I feel that way about my house. 

The morning after our wedding, my husband Mike and I went to brunch. We were leaving for Mexico the next morning and that Sunday was meant to relax and catch our breath after our Saturday wedding.  On the way back from brunch, Mike told me there was an open house he wanted to check out in the town we were hoping to live.  There was a line of people waiting to go inside.  The house was right across the street from the sprawling brick elementary school with the white pillars in front that I absolutely loved.  To live right across the street from an elementary school is considered a drawback in real estate but I thought it was one reason that this house might be calling my name! 
When we got inside the house, I thought it was lovely. Small from the outside, it was spacious inside. Hardwood floors, an updated kitchen with stainless steel appliances, a screened in porch, a door from the kitchen to the garage.  But, what sealed the deal for me and convinced me that we HAD to have this house was the built in bookshelves framing the door to the office:


This is how I knew I was home.  
I stalked the house on the web during our Mexican honeymoon.  Each day, when we needed a break from the sun, we would head to the computer room at the hotel and check the real estate site to make sure the house was still for sale.  When we returned from Mexico, we made an offer on the house and it was ours.  As it should be.  
There are some things in this world that you will choose and some things that chose you.  So happy my house chose me! 


Comments

  1. What a great take on Sarah's post. I loved it too. When the house is meant to be, you just know and bookshelves are a great clue.

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    1. Thanks for reading and commenting Judy! I appreciate it!

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  2. Your post has me thinking about all of the things in my life that chose me without me even realizing it. I feel that way about the school where I teach. It was a total fluke that I got hired there, but it is the place I had to be. Your home is beautiful! I would die for those bookshelves too.

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    1. Lucky school that chose you! :) Sarah's post got me thinking about how "some things in this world choose you"....I also like to think of it as serendipity or when I'm getting back to my Catholic faith, I also liken it to the Holy Spirit at work. So happy to read your comment!

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  3. I got chills when I read this. Built in bookshelves are the best. My husband just built some for us! I know what you mean. I live in a town that chose me and I'm grateful for it every day I happily drive to teach sweet 2nd graders. Thanks for sharing this joyful post.

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    1. Built in shelves are such a gift! So glad you have them too and have a special town that chose you to live and teach in! Thank you for your kindness and for reading my post.

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  4. Your home must be a very happy, welcoming place because your writing is very happy and welcoming. I have lived in my home 36 years and have loved every day of it and given thanks that my home chose me as its caretaker.

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    1. Bernadette, that is the compliment I think I could live a month on....maybe longer. One of the best things anyone ever said about my writing and I thank you so much! So glad you have a special home!

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  5. Love this! Our house chose me last May. I remember stepping inside for the first time so clearly. I just knew.

    Great Slice. And great bookshelves!

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    1. Isn't it amazing, how you just know? Like a wedding dress....a spouse.....the right decision you know in your gut when you choose wisely. So glad you have the house that chose you too! Thanks for reading and commenting. :)

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  6. Life has an amazing way of showing you the right direction. I am so glad that things worked out for you!

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  7. First of all - I love the bookshelves! So envious! I know that my husband was chosen for me when my own family was falling apart. And education chose me as a second career. I was a stay at home mom and 40 when Someone said I should be a teacher. Love this post!

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    1. I'm so happy your husband came along at the perfect time and that you got "chosen" to be a second career teacher. I think second career teachers bring so much to the classroom and have a special wisdom. Sounds like life has worked out just as it should....

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  8. Your post made me smile...I have always considered built in bookshelves to be a sign that a house was meant for me, too.

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  9. Your post made me smile...I have always considered built in bookshelves to be a sign that a house was meant for me, too.

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  10. That's an amazing story about finding your home. Funny, I've always loved the idea of living near an elementary school too. Those bookshelves are beautiful!!!! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to think about what in my life has chosen me....hmmm! :)

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  11. I just read Sarah's post. Wow. My breath caught when I read it.

    How neat that you were house hunting on your honeymoon. (BTW: Those bookshelves are a reader's dream!)

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