Welcome Home!

In an age of pharmaceutical ads on the television and a pill in the medicine cabinet for everything, it’s easy to forget how much shelter can bring to healing. It’s hard to get better when you’re in a place that doesn’t comfort you. And the reverse is true.

Several years ago, faced with unexpected surgery, I decided to piggyback my recovery onto my vacation. Months before I realized I would be hospitalized, I’d rented a little house, sight unseen, on the Oregon coast for two weeks of much needed rest and relaxation. The surgery was scheduled for a few days before I was supposed to be at the beach.

When we pulled up in front of the cottage, I realized that the ad had been slightly misleading. It wasn’t anywhere near as close to the ocean as I’d been led to believe. It sat high on a hill overlooking the bay. That was disappointing – the first thing I did was sit down and have a good cry – but the house itself was a delight. It was small and well-furnished and nestled in the tall trees. There was a pretty view out each window.

The family was all together for the first few days, but for the rest of the time I was cloistered with my two younger daughters. I couldn’t drive so I’d sent the car back and we spent hours playing games, reading and watching movies. At first, whenever I needed to see the water, I sat in a chair on the deck and gazed out at the horizon.

But as I rested and recuperated, the walk down to the ocean and back – made several times each day – helped me regain my strength. My bedroom, at the top of the cottage, was quiet and gave me a place for contemplation.

When I moved into the little house I was sore and exhausted. When I moved out, I was whole again.

I suppose I would have recovered just as well at home, surrounded by familiar faces and furniture, but I’d prefer to think the little house with its view of the bay helped me feel better.

In every way.

This week in Home

When Joe and Jane Clements started construction on their Mediterranean-style home on a bluff in North Spokane, building a home became a metaphor for rebuilding her health. Together they constructed a house that was not only sheltering, it was healing as well. Their story is this week’s cover feature.

To celebrate summer we’ve got gardens galore and profiles of interesting people, places and events around the area. Each week in home we help you celebrate the best of living – indoors and out – in the region.

I believe any good home is more than four walls and a patch of green grass.

It’s good medicine.

Enjoy.