Great remembrance, Walter - and other than the fact I grew up in a (modest) mid-century modern son SoCal suburbia it rings true on every level.

Fun fact: we now live next door to the home I grew up in as we moved here to be close to my mom during the last 3 years of her life. It still felt like home then and we even built a gate in the fence to make it easier for my boys to slip over and see grandma.

My dad sold them home later and we watched the new owners come in and take a proverbial wrecking ball to the place. Every square inch of the yard was torn up and I no longer recognize the place.

I get a little sad when I think about the garden my mom tended for 40 years ending up in a composite heap somewhere. The house I remember may be gone, but my home is here now with my wife and kids.