I am not sure about you, but when I was growing up my parents always had a specific place where the car keys were hung in the house. That went along with the house keys, the keys to the dirt bikes, and many other random keys. However, there was a feeling of security always knowing that the keys were hung at the end of the night in the same place.
I kind of feel like it was a way for my parents to count the ducklings and make sure everyone was safe when the keys were hung up for the evening.
Fast forward, Scott and I have lived in a few different places over the course of 15 years. And from time to time, we have lost our keys.
Well, let’s say it's more me than him. Like the time, when I was frantically searching for the car keys when Hannah was an infant, only to find them still in the front door lock the next morning. Or like the time when we were having a yard sale, and I was certain that my keys were officially gone forever, only to find them in the bag of clothes that the girls were giving to one of the neighbors!
Three years ago, when we bought our old 1935 fixer upper Tudor home, one of the first things that Scott hung was a key hangar in the laundry room. He said, “May we always find our keys here.”
It was such a simple gesture, yet such a powerful one.
We finally felt like we were settling down and planting our roots into a place we could truly call home. I have still “lost” my keys from time to time but the act of hanging up my coat and keys for the day brings me peace and solace. I know that my home is a place of refuge, regardless of the tumultuous events that might be unfolding in the community, in the nation, or in the world.
What I have also found is what allowed us to create this feeling of coming home were a lot of friends and family helping us along the way. We also found great pride in thrifting, upcycling, and visiting Habitat for Humanity Restore for many home renovations. We not only didn’t have the money to buy from all of the designer home decor stores, we wanted to invest our money into home products from businesses and organizations that had similar beliefs to the Iler family.
So, let’s talk about Habitat for Humanity. I did some research about this amazing organization.
“The idea that became Habitat for Humanity first grew from the fertile soil of Koinonia Farm, a community farm outside of Americus, Georgia, founded by. . . Clarence Jordan.
On the farm, Jordan and Habitat’s eventual founders Millard and Linda Fuller developed the concept of “partnership housing.” The concept centered on those in need of adequate shelter working side by side with volunteers to build decent, affordable houses. The houses would be built at no profit. New homeowners’ house payments would be combined with no-interest loans provided by supporters and money earned by fundraising to create “The Fund for Humanity,” which would then be used to build more homes.”
Since then the organization has grown into an international organization and the Restore has also been a place for people to donate and purchase items for their homes.
When Iler Woods was asked to be a part of the campaign for Habitat for Humanity, we didn’t think twice about saying yes.
This month we are teaming up to raise awareness and funds for our local Habitat for Humanity affiliate as they open up the doors to home-ownership for those who would not otherwise be able to live this dream. Your purchase of our exclusive key rack will benefit San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity and the families they serve to help provide a decent, safe affordable place to call home.
Where do you hang your keys? The completion of a Habitat for Humanity house is commemorated with a ceremony where partner families receive the keys to their new home.We want to make sure everyone has a place to hang their keys. Every sale of our exclusive key rack available at www.ilerwoods.com will help SGV Habitat provide decent, safe affordable places to call home. Or if you do not need a key holder, surprise a family or friend with one of these signature
At the end of the night, pause for a moment and be thankful for where you hang your keys. There are so many families who are striving to have that feeling of coming home. May you feel warmth and a sense of peace at the end of each day. . . if you feel the desire, support Habitat for Humanity during this campaign.Click on our link and surprise a friend, family, or neighbor with this key hangar.