Staying put

I remember Mrs. Johnson. She had the old house that needed a new roof and a paint job. But the most remarkable thing was her spectacular garden with flowers that always seemed in bloom. As she stood outside in her white bathrobe that perfectly complimented her hair, she could name every plant and the location of every bulb.


The reason? She had spent nearly sixty years in that home. Her husband bought that home and they had two children before he died on a beachhead in Europe. And she stayed, cooking breakfasts for her boys as they grew to men. And every year she put up pickles with her dill and cucumbers that grew by the fence. Soon, the grandchildren came to love that safe place. 

Photo courtesy Ali Mahmed

Last year, I had the house up for sale. Some of it was out of desperation. But after nine weeks and just three walk-throughs, it was obvious it wasn’t going to sell. A depressed market. An Overpriced home. Bad paint.  


So I decided to stay put. The vagabond spirit that marked my life maybe found a close.


And I’m not alone. The mobility rates has been steadily declining across the U.S. 

•  In 1951, 21.1 percent of people moved in the post war expansion.
• In 2006, 13.2 percent of people moved
• Last year, just 11.8 percent of us picked up and changed addresses.

There is a better potential for long-term relationships and for true community if we stay where we are. It would allow us to work through our imperfections, to put aside our airs, and to be real.


Who among us grows, marries, raises children and dies in the same place?  I’ve missed out on the first half of my life, moving nearly 15 times. But the second half holds out a promise of better days, of children laughing, of flowers that bloom every year, and a brand new 25-year roof that one day I will need to replace. 

I’m wondering if I should just stay put? 

How about you? Feel free to comment here.


We join in blog carnival hosted by Bonnie Gray at Faith Barista. Today’s theme is perfectionism. To see more posts on the theme, please visit the site.