Today, we have a guest post from hands-down, one of my favorite people in the whole wide world – my mom, who I affectionately call Lady. And not just any guest poster, the South’s most recent published author! Her book, Released was, well, (for lack of a better word) released last week. It’s about her experience with anxiety and depression. Go here to check out this powerful book. http://www.eternitycommunications.com/ReleasedMinistries.htm
But today we have the pleasure of her giving us a little insight on owning a historic home, with its joys and its trials. She and my dad have always dreamed of owning an historic home, and purchased theirs in downtown Lexington about 3 years ago. It has been fitted and previously run as a bed and breakfast, and while they always seem to have a steady stream of company, The True Inn is just currently just their own private retreat for now. The best part about the house is that it’s located within walking distance of Rupp Arena!
If you’re not up to the task of owning a historic home, get thee to one in your town as soon as you can. Most of our Southern towns are just chock full of these treasures. So, for another of our Southern Summer to dos: Visit (or own!) a historic home.
Continue reading below for her take on owning a historic home.
Ask anyone who owns a historic home and they will probably tell you they have a love/hate relationship.
Our home: Built in 1843, in Lexington Kentucky. President Abraham Lincoln and his wife, Mary Todd, have spent many evenings here for dinner, it’s been a stop on the under ground railroad, built by a minister, and an abolitionist. These are some of the history facts of the house.
Some of the things we love are the history, of course. You can sit in the house and wonder how many feet have walked these floors, how many dinners where families have laughed and cried together, how many fathers have taught their daughters how to dance before their first date. How many moms have kissed their children goodnight and then the parents have danced all alone while the children are tucked into sleep, how many Christmases with children coming down the steps in their footed pajamas and their faces light up with joy at the sight of presents under the tree. Oh the list goes on and on as you sit and ponder what must have happened within these walls, and now we get to add our own memories to the home.
We love that we have room for people to stay here for a weekend retreat, people who just need a little break in life. People who listen to people’s problems day in and day out, but yet know one thinks that they might need a break themselves. You see, we let people who are in ministry stay here for free, who just need a reprieve.
We love that we can have game night with young couples and encourage them in their young marriages. Or youth groups can bring their kids to come and have a party where they can just hang out. Or college kids can come and have a quiet place to stay, to study, and get a taste of home. Big meals with family and friends. You see, there is a lot to love about an old home.
But there are times when you want to just throw up your hands and say I quit!
Every time you think you might get to decorate a room, a ceiling falls in and the money you were going to use goes to fixing the ceiling. Or the roof starts leaking, or the dish washer starts leaking and damages the floor. Or a tree dies (and I don’t know if you have had a tree cut down lately but it is very expensive) and it’s so sad the tree is very old and big. Basically, about the time you get to do something fun to the house to make it a little better you wind up spending it on just maintenance.
All in all though, we get to feel like we are here for a time and the caretakers of the home for now.
