Home sweet home

So it's Sunday afternoon and I'm curled up on the couch with the newspaper, a cup of coffee, a holiday scented candle, and golf on tv. Yes, that's right - golf. I do not follow golf, I do not like golf, the only golf club I've ever held is a mini-golf club (for those upstate New Yorkers: Put Put). However, my dad watches golf all the time, and reads the paper every weekend morning and in the evenings when he gets home from work. My mom drinks coffee all day long (I'm not lying, even at 8pm, fully caffeinated cup of coffee in hand) and is a fan of a particular classic holiday spice candle. I suddenly realized, I was trying to recreate home in my living room. 

I know that the economy has forced a lot of people in their 20's and even 30's to go back to the nest, please do not misunderstand, I'm in no way saying that this is a good thing. But for me, moving back in with my parents after leaving New York City four years ago was one of my favorite things I've done, and I'm not afraid to admit it. I got a chance to actually know my parents. As humans, instead of rule makers and judges the way adolescents/college kids see their parents. 

I didn't stay for long - I was only home for about six months before packing up and moving to Syracuse, but it was a great six months. My dad set the coffee maker for the three of us every morning, and every night my mom made us dinner and we sat around the table and talked. We got to watch Survivor and the Amazing Race together every week and my dad would make his chocolate sauce to pour over ice cream. 

After I left my sister came home for about a year, and now my brother is taking his turn. I think we've each gotten to know our parents better than we would have otherwise - we're a lucky bunch.