I always hope that I am the type of person who can not expect a visitor but not feel ashamed to let one in if they surprise me with a visit. To be honest, I LOVE surprise visits. If someone is in the area and comes to my place it means they thought of us as they were passing through. I see it as a beautiful compliment.
Sometimes I look at my house, though, and wonder how I would feel if someone showed up and came inside. Would I be embarrassed by the mess... would I wish to keep them outside for a visit... would I be hoping they weren't in my home judging me...(excuse the elipses, I use them since my question mark doesnt work)
Today I was tested. Believe it or not, I didn't even know it until the visit was done. My Father in law stopped in for a visit. He was in the area doing some work and thought he would join us for a little while in between jobs. I LOVED it! Dave had to leave for work and it was just me, the boys and my father in law. We chatted, played with the boys and had a lovely time. While he was visiting we did talk about visits and anxiety one might feel while (or before) hosting a guest but it didnt connect that that was what I was doing.
Once he left I walked back inside feeling really happy. I love visits. I love that he thought to stop in and play with the boys. I looked around and saw my very real house. Toys strewn all around the place; dirt from shoes since there was a move today and with all the ins and outs (into damp dirt) it was silly to remove shoes; dirty lunch dishes in the kitchen left while waiting for a stubborn boy to finish up... I think the list could go on. I didn't feel shame or embarrassment. I didn't feel like I was judged or that my house was even thought about. I knew he was there for us and us alone. As I said, I was happy.
There have been times where I have apologized for the state of my house- usually around new people- but only for the mess. I know my house isn't dirty and smelly! I also know my intentions and what occurs at the end and middle of the day (vigorous straightening). Knowing what I and my family need seems to be enough for me.
So, if you are ever in the area and have some time to kill, know that you are so welcome to drop in. I can't tell you that you will be entering the most tidy home around but I can guarantee you will be met with a smile.
Thank you, Dad, for your visit today.
1 comment:
I'm usually such a clean/neat freak that this wouldn't be an issue but a couple of weekends ago my husband and I decided to move some furniture around which meant that there was a HUGE mess in the house. We had to move things off the shelves etc so it was all on the floor and I hadn't swept or vacuumed because there was stuff all over the floors - whatever, you get it, it was a mess. Well, no one ever really stops by for a random visit because we don't live near anyone we really know and we live on a totally busy street. Well this ONE DAY that my house was a wreck my neighbor stopped by to give Addi a gift. AHH! lol I was So embarrassed bc we stood in my walkway and she could see that my house was upside down and I wanted to badly to give her a tour but I knew that the rest of the house was even worse. So frustrating!
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