Knitting in front of my ”fireplace”…the one on Netflix!

Comfort comes in many forms. There is comfort in food, as that is the origin of nurturing in our lives. The same goes for the comfort of touch and smell and sound. It can harken us to our earliest memories of our family of origin who loved us, held us close, and fed us. Comfort may change form over time and it may come from different sources, but it always takes us back…way back to “home”. 

When we go through times of emotional upheaval, we reach for those things that brought us comfort. And if they no longer work, or they’re no longer available to us, we make substitutions. When I went through my divorce from Hubby #2, I found comfort in the home I built. I chose colors and furnishings that calmed me. I burned a zillion candles and played soft, soothing music that made me feel safe and secure. When I lost Mr. Virgo, I found comfort and solace in camping.

The Farm has been a touchstone my entire life and I am always comforted there. I can walk in the back door and instantly feel calm. When I was going through the worst episodes of fear and anxiety and sadness in my life, I could close my eyes and visualize Grandma’s house, the wooden staircase leading to the “Girl’s Room” upstairs, and the warm bed piled high with comforters. The house was always warm…and there were always wonderful aromas wafting up from the kitchen. It smelled of good cooking and lemon oil furniture polish and Ivory Snow.

When we woke up yesterday, I snuggled over against Mr. FixIt to soak up his warmth. I remember the pain Mr. Virgo’s sudden absence brought me and I swore, if God would ever see fit to bring me another partner, I would memorize every moment to save up…just in case. We always check in with good morning greetings and how did you sleep questions. We look out the window and wonder about the weather of the day. One or the other of us picks up a phone to check the temperature and forecast. Then we take a look at the calendar to see if there’s anything going on. We hold hands and share contented sighs. Then one of us has to break the reverie and get the day going by getting up. It’s usually Mr. FixIt whose feet hit the ground first. He starts the electric tea kettle while I get myself up and about.

That ritual, in and of itself is incredibly comforting and I know all too well how nebulous it is. I padded into the kitchen and made oats and toast for breakfast. We watched a little TV. I baked bread and froze a couple dozen hot rolls for later in the month. I was at the end of my flour supply. I didn’t have enough bread flour, and the all purpose flour was a little past its prime. But we were down to just a few slices of bread, so I baked anyway.

I heated up turkey pot pie for supper, then Mr. FixIt went out to put up the inflatables. We hung the huge four foot wreath up together on the end of the house facing the road. I knitted a little on the sweater. Every row is another row closer to being finished. And here it is…the last day of November. Another month gone…a brand new month starting tomorrow. We sat in our big red recliners and enjoyed the warm glow of the Christmas tree. I read with my lap comforter thrown over my legs. Mr. FixIt softly snoozed with his feet up. The flames in the gas stove that looks like an old fashioned wood stove flickered softly. This is my comfort and joy.

We don’t live in a fancy new house. We don’t drive expensive cars with the latest gadgets. We don’t jet set around the world or buy the best of everything. We don’t need to. We have everything we could possibly need right here on this beautiful patch of ground. We have a big, healthy family. And we have each other. What more could I possibly ask for? 

God has answered every prayer I’ve ever uttered one of three ways. Yes. Yes, but not right now. Or, no…I have something better in mind for you. I rest in great comfort knowing He is always a breath away from us. And I am always and eternally grateful.

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“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28 ESV