Sometimes It’s Good to Go Home

by Thomas Hall

Realtor, Rabble-Rouser

Author website

I just returned from a brief respite – short of 2 weeks – in Dallas.  I went home.

I needed to get away from the day-to-day grind that my life had become, seemingly caught up in the negative energy that seems to have taken over.  My dad just had knee replacement surgery and I thought it would be a great opportunity to help out and reconnect with my folks, my brother and his family.  I also wanted to spend some time refocusing my efforts on my business plan to create a web-based community for do-it-yourself buyers and sellers of real estate as well.  I had a full plate.

While I did get a plan down on paper regarding my new business idea, I realized I accomplished so much more – quite honestly, it was a significantly more valuable exercise.

I became grounded again.

Ever feel like you’ve lost your mojo?  Needless to say, many of us are facing really troubling circumstances, but it so important to keep perspective on our lives.  Sometimes when we take a brief moment in time to step away from our crazy lives, we get to experience timeless treasures.

I consider myself blessed to have wonderful, loving parents.  My folks are getting older – edging into their late 70’s.  Still in great health and active, but beginning to show the signs of lives entering into dusk.  I wanted to be around to help out – let my mom have some time to do her own thing.  Just be there.

But something both unsettling and comforting at the same time happened.  I saw for perhaps the first time my dad completely vulnerable.  This is a man that never cracked.  A West Point Grad – a man who served his country.  Raised 7 seven kids.  Proud, disciplined, smart, kind, but a tough son-of-a-bitch.  He’s mellowed over the years for sure – but my brothers and sisters and I often laugh that he’s gone from a Type A++ personality to maybe an A-.  The surgery seemed to have broken him – just a bit.  I wasn’t prepared to see him like that.  I felt like I could pick up the reigns, honored to be at his side – just to be there.  I’m not sure why, but it made an enormous impact on me.  I felt lucky.

Through out the time I was there, even in the mundane exchange between my mom and dad, I witnessed “that spark” – the magic  that explains the almost 56 years of why they’re together.   Years of understanding – without a word spoken.

Sometimes we need to be reminded as to just how lucky we are.  Sometimes it’s good to go home.