When I downsized my home in 2021 from over 4000 sq. ft. to one a quarter of that size, there was some serious purging and careful selection to be done. Necessities came in first, of course, followed by the objects that bring on the personality. An avid collector by nature, the bits and bobs gathered over my lifetime quickly filled the space, earning my new place the moniker, “The Squirrel Nest.”
Uprooting my life after a couple of decades in the same house was not an easy undertaking. With it came anxiety, stress and grief over a life I once lived. I had raised my children in this home and our history as a family was under its roof, until it wasn’t. My marriage had dissolved, things were packed, moved and now reassembled in this tiny new dwelling place.
Overwhelming is an understatement, but I had a strong determination right out of the gate to create a safe, peaceful, happy environment that seemed like it had always been there. I wanted a home that felt like a warm hug for hurting hearts. I believe that I have created that, no matter how tiny it is. It does feel tranquil and loving, welcoming to all who enter here. It is our home.
I decided the moment that I moved in that I would not let the diminutive size limit my possibilities. I have always enjoyed the art of hospitality, caring for and sharing food with those I love and want to spend time with. It takes some serious imagination to host a dozen people in a Squirrel Nest on Christmas Eve, but I did just that, weeks after moving in. I made it possible by stepping out of my comfort zone and into new possibilities. The disassembling of a marriage and family unit is like a wrecking ball through your heart and home. Everything you knew is wiped away in a moment, forever changing the trajectory of your life story. I was determined that it would not be the end of my story, but rather a very sad chapter on a journey to a happy ending.
The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Is that an easy thing to do? Absolutely not, but I have found it to be necessary in order to move forward in a new life as you know it. It is the secret sauce to a life well-lived, trusting that God has a plan and it does not include giving up. When we are forced to rearrange things in our life, both literally and figuratively, doing so with a heart of gratitude and openness allows us to see new possibilities for ourselves, our families, our homes. Limited spaces do not equal limited opportunities to love, welcome and serve people. Hospitality lives in your heart and travels with you wherever you go.
So, welcome to my little Squirrel Nest. Let’s enjoy a lifestyle of hospitality and friendship, loving and serving others in whatever way we can, in whatever spaces we occupy, with whatever gifts God has given us. Let’s get going, y’all.
The Bayou Belle 