Ja-lene Clark

My parents have been a blessing to so many people.

In 2018, Mom and Dad celebrated their 60th anniversary. I wanted to bless them back, but at that time, I had writer’s block and could not get my creative juices flowing, no matter how hard I tried to write something wonderful.

Little did I know that another type of creative muse wanted to play. Instead of writing for them, I gathered photos of their life together. Next, I revisited a poem I had written for them 18 years earlier and thought about the song “Still the One.” Somehow, I merged all those pieces into a video, and then, for the first time, I recorded myself reading the poem.

What I learned is that if I let go of my expectations and allow creativity to take over. The result was wonderful!

^{Mom and Dad’s 60th-anniversary video by Ja-lene Clark}

Home

Home is not just a place on the map—

Home is the buzz you get when surrounded by people

who know everything about you

and love you anyway.

Home is a place where you can laugh too loud,

or even cry if you want.

In this special place, no matter how goofy you may be,

you’re not afraid to be yourself.

Home is a place where you hear the same old stories,

but they make you smile anyway.

Home is the light in your heart when you watch your big brother turn into a child while playing with his grandchildren.

Home is that tingle of emotion inside when everyone sings Silent Night.

And it’s the worry in your heart when you see that your Dad’s hair is just a little bit thinner and whiter this year.

You realize that time is precious, so you want to make this the best holiday ever,

for it might be the last time.

Home is when your heart sinks because someone special is missing,

perhaps for a year,

sometimes forever.

And you always know that you’re home when you have that

anticipating rumble in your belly

as soon as you smell Mom’s turkey and dressing cooking.

This is a place where listening to your sister’s non-stop chatter actually makes you smile.

Here, we watch new generations bloom,

learning to walk,

playing with cousins,

and we remember what it was like when we were kids.

Home is a place you can pretend for just a little while,

That’s everything is right when everything is wrong.

This a place where you will be hugged the same to

celebrate success

or mourn lessons.

I promise, you never need an invitation.

The door is always open.

And even if the address changes from time to time, know that these are YOUR people; this is the place you belong.

For home is a place in your heart.

Creativity