07/31/2026
How Can I Miss You If You Never Go Away?
The Joy of Leaving
We love to travel. There is a special excitement in packing our bags, grabbing our passports, kissing the dog goodbye, promising we’ll be home soon, and heading off on another adventure.
The Sweetness of Returning Home
As I get older, coming home after a trip feels sweeter. Not the five loads of laundry, the pile of mail, or the grocery shopping needed to refill the fridge—but the quiet pleasure of settling back into our comfortable chairs, catching up on news from family and friends, and reconnecting with the home we have made.
What Brings Us Joy
Throughout our adult lives, we have collected art made by friends and created pieces of our own. When I look around our home, I feel the memories, relationships, and connections held in each piece.
When my granddaughter was downsizing, she had to make difficult choices. She told me she held each item in her hand and asked, “Does this bring me joy?”
I started asking the same question about the things in my own home. Now we share a running joke: make sure you bring me joy—or you’ll get hoicked.
Seeing Home with Fresh Eyes
Sometimes we need to step away from our center so we can appreciate it when we return. Distance helps us see our surroundings with fresh eyes and decide how we want to feel among the possessions we choose to keep.
A Home Filled with History
We know how incredibly lucky we are. Over the last 50 years, we have gathered ideas from the places we have visited and used them to shape the home—and the life—we live in today. Our cabinets and shelves are filled with that history. We eat from handmade pottery dinnerware and drink from our mugs every day. Some pieces we still use are 30 years old, while the oldest have been retired and placed on display.
May our handmade pottery bring you joy every day.
Barry & Terri
