My Future Small Home

Today, as I am every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, I was inspired by Valerie Hudson. This woman and her lectures on the world always leave me with a lot to think about, and today was no exception. We were discussing poverty again, and that the idea that poverty in many countries may not be related to population as much as it to over consumption and spending by others. Looking around at the many people in the world who have much more than necessary I believe that those who support this theory are on to something. While discussing this in class a kid in the back rose his hand and said that we can't change Americans views though, we're all still going to want big houses. Silence fell over the room as Professor Hudson stopped and looked down, choosing her words very carefully. With power yet kindness she spoke in a hushed voice and said "All I've ever wanted is a small house to raise kids in, for my kids to be healthy, and to have lots of love." She explained that she was in no way perfect, but that she had gotten to a point in her life where the rest of it didn't seem to matter. She didn't need a big house.

All my life I've loved looking at houses. I've gone to home shows with my mom and admired the bay windows, wood floors, vaulted ceilings, in home theaters or exercise rooms, the pools, the stainless steal appliances and the abundance of bathrooms. I've dreamed of a big house with fancy things. I dreamed of myself in my fancy jeans, an anthropology top and heels pulling cookies out of the oven for my kids. After thinking a lot about it today though I see things a little bit differently. Today I decided that is not really what I want. I want an average home, full of above average amounts of love and laughter and the rest, the material things in said home, just don't matter.

I've been so blessed to always have that in my home growing up. I'm so glad that is exactly what I had. And someday I can't wait to give that to my own family. In our small home.