knowing my place

Know your place.  

We've heard it from parents, maybe teachers.  Interesting to note that in this context "place" has nothing to do with physical space and everything to do with social behavior.

We all need our own places.  In THIS context I mean both physical AND social.

I have my places.

I have my dining room and the table in it.  Around this big slab of pine many great conversations have taken place with my children and good friends.  Lots of food has been served at gatherings where we invite friends over and cook Indian food and talk and laugh.  At the right angle you can see scores written from when we have played cards or Boggle or other games.  Pine is good that way.  It holds on to things. I may refinish this table in the Spring, but it is staying in this house because it has become an important place to me.

The den.  This is mostly my husband's space that we designed and decorated when he was bishop, so that he could have people over to talk.  But I like that it has that kind of history.  It has become, since that time,  the refuge.  When the kids come in they are a little more careful to keep it clean and to even speak a little lower.  We write in here.  We sing and record in here.  We read and gather our thoughts.

There are other spaces away from my home that I crave as sanctuaries (North Carolina sandy beaches, the Duomo in Florence, Italy, the temple).  Physical space matters.

Sacred groves, if you will.


Then social places.  I can lead.  I can follow.  I can sit.  I can do.  I can be the chameleon I sometimes need to be.  That little voice tells me, Know your place.  And I try to respond appropriately by following instinct.

Places matter.  Stand in holy ones, but help people out of ones that are not.  What good is a place if it is never shared?

14 comments

Connie | November 27, 2011 at 2:44 PM

I'm happy that we shared the same "place" today! It was good to be with you.

Kazzy | November 27, 2011 at 4:41 PM

I love you, Miss C. Wherever you are is always a good place.

CB | November 27, 2011 at 5:09 PM

I like the look and sound of your place - it seems comfortable, warm, friendly and welcoming.

That is the best kind of place to belong to.

gigi | November 27, 2011 at 6:59 PM

I love your place, I'd like to visit and sit at that table for a chat.

Momza | November 27, 2011 at 8:09 PM

Your post reminds me of my sacred dining table too! http://momza.blogspot.com/2009/12/sacred-altar-of-home.html

Welcome to the Garden of Egan | November 27, 2011 at 8:32 PM

Such a great post Kazzy. I love that you are able to put into words how I feel about so mnay of the same things.

Your space is beautiful.

Kimberly Vanderhorst | November 27, 2011 at 9:10 PM

Sacred groves. Oh yes. Such truth.

It hits home what a great responsibility it is to be a homeMAKER - to be the one creating warmth, inviting the spirit, making all feel welcome. It's more than housework, more than organizing, it's a form of creation, and a beautiful one at that.

lesa | November 28, 2011 at 9:01 AM

You caught me at .. writing scores. Any 'place' that has game playing with friends and family is a good space for me.

Valerie | November 28, 2011 at 4:34 PM

Was just thinking about this very thing today...finding my place in a new ward, neighborhood, house...
And trying to create a place of warmth and comfort for my family, so they can find their place too. :)

heather | November 29, 2011 at 9:19 AM

This year, more than ever in my life, I've come to realize just how much being HOME is important... I think physically, yes, there is significance -but I've also realized home is largely where my husband is, wherever we might be -AZ, WY, KS, AR, AL, CO...

Joanie | November 29, 2011 at 9:01 PM

Sharing any place makes all the difference. I love sharing my home which just makes it feel more like home.

Unknown | November 30, 2011 at 9:17 AM

I feel honored to have spent time in your sacred places. Your home is so warm, so welcoming. Matches the spirits inside, I guess.

Mormon Women: Who We Are | December 24, 2011 at 1:55 AM

Like! We're sharing these songs at mormonwoman.org as part of our Christmas Eve superpost! ;)

Mormon Women: Who We Are | December 24, 2011 at 1:55 AM

Ergh...commented at the wrong place.

But I loved this post. Loved it.