Today was my last day sitting within the walls of 200 Meadow Lane. And to think, in many ways, this house was where each of us realized the importance of life. Each with our own story. Our own journey to tell. My parents started the tradition early that Meadow Lane would become a second home. An escape into a space with reminder of the important things life had to offer like pigs in a blanket and concepts such as "shrimp cocktail time" and of course secret cousin clubs and Christmas plays written and performed in the basement or the laundry shoot stuffed animal wars or that secret door right inside my uncle's bedroom that leads into a secret back wardrobe space that, for us as children held the magic of a new Narnia. 

There was something beautiful living "far enough" away from my grandparents to experience this concept of a home away from home. Quite literally, I would argue, for many of my cousins, a home that is incomparable to any other. I think back to my perspective of 200 Meadow Lane and how much it has changed and grown with us as we have changed and grown into young adults-still searching and thinking about who it is we want to be and how we fit into the world. I used to think the change was bad but it's just a reminder that change is a natural process of life. Regardless, we are kidding ourselves if we fail to acknowledge that 200 Meadow Lane has in some way shaped us into who we are. And what we want to become. I laugh thinking about the fact that all of my closest friends from high school and elementary school and even college are aware that if I am headed anywhere by choice-it is to Buffalo New York where my grandparents have lived for as long as I can remember. 

26 years of magic have occurred under this roof for me and many more years for my aunts and uncles who spent their childhoods (or at least partially so) under the roof of Meadow Lane as well. Even the name of the address is magical. But for me-on this particular day- I could not help but detect the heaviness in my heart realizing this was my last night here before I had to go home. And even though I find myself in the body of a 26 year old, I still feel like my six/ seven year old self every time I have to say goodbye. As a kid, I would sit on the big chair and begin to feel sad two days before leaving. Sometimes I would even shed a tear or two. Probably just an early realization that the whimsical space I was experiencing had a heartbeat of its own. 

And this post is not to create sadness but to think about the pure whimsy in growing up with such a magical place. It was a place where we could go to feel love, to celebrate life. It was a place where family was always emphasized and we could be ourselves, where conflicts did arise but the love overpowered any of that. Multiplying love was always found at this address. As my grandparents continue to get older, I cannot help but think about what will happen with our home away from home someday. I think I have come to the conclusion that though the people and the places and the time will continue to travel on, the love within the walls of Meadow Lane will exist forever. 

One thing is for certain. It is so important that when I raise my own kids (and my brother raises his) that our children-our cousins are able to experience this same home away from home or perhaps one like it. Because, to be honest, out of every experience I have ever had, it is only 200 Meadow Lane that has consistently taught me those important life lessons that you never forget. Those lessons like cousin sleep-overs and brownie sundaes, vegetable picking and New Year's parades. A place to look forward to. A place to grieve but also celebrate. A nook that casts aside uncertainties and reminds us of the important things. As my grandmother always reminds me: Life is one big celebration. So tonight I urge you to think about your "home away from home." Maybe it is 20 minutes away or an hour or maybe three. What was a magical space you experienced as a child? Did it affect you in some way? Did it multiply love? It is never goodbye Meadow Lane. Until we meet again. A little slice of heaven. Under the Meadow.