Many years ago when Maren and I were both in college and living within a short hour to an hour and a half from our parents and our childhood home, they had the locks changed. Now, okay, sure that happens. But typically, when your parents have the locks changed in a home that is still your permanent address and one of you (Maren) lives in a dorm, they usually give you keys to the new locks. Not in this case.

Take a moment to be horrified by this-go ahead-it’s pretty bad!

That’s right, Steve and Tina Genow, blood of our blood, changed the locks on our house and didn’t give their two eldest (and favorite) children keys!

Perhaps you are thinking this was an oversight and was remedied soon. Well you are right if by soon you mean 7 years later. Yes, we now have keys to our parents home. Last week, Maren and I got a letter from Mom in the mail saying that she had decided it was time for us to have keys to the house. And lo and behold in an envelope she had enclosed were these keys. When she asked me about it later she made sure I knew that she had to drive “across town” to get these keys made.  (I decided to keep to myself the comment that “across town” in Moore, Oklahoma is a short 4 miles-but I sure did think it)

The phrase a little too little a little too late comes to mind, but I guess it’s the thought that counts. So perhaps the phrase that should come to mind is It’s better late than never. Although, doesn’t it make you wonder if she secretly sent us the keys only to have the locks changed again? Or perhaps, she sent us the keys to the new locks she’s having installed once Kyle goes to college next month. Maybe she’s decided that no collegian should have a key to her home and is planning to treat Kyle in the same manner. Ineresting….

Since one shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth, I think I’ll end by saying thank you to our generous mother for finally allowing us to have access to our childhood home. A home filled with such memories, both joyous (when we were allowed keys) and painful (when we weren’t).

Welcome home, Brianne and Maren. Welcome home.