The Move
We've moved.
Given that I took you on our journey from the house to the apartment and a brief preview that we had purchased a townhome, I thought I'd complete the circle and let you know that, indeed, we have moved.
I am acutely and joyfully aware that this is probably the home I'll be hauled out of, either to a location where I will be taken care of...or feet first. Regardless of how that happens, I will go with glad heart and great appreciation for this final abode.
Yes, the apartment was wonderful and more than amply served us. Indeed, a benefit was its location so that the small balcony overlooked a neighborhood replete with trees and landscaping. And on walks, I found myself looking longingly at homeowners' backyards, patios, decks. Yes, we wanted single level living but I wanted a yard to walk out into, haul a lounge chair onto the grass, fill pots with seeds and flowers, water and nurture them through the spring and summer.
Our townhouse is a celebration of all that I hoped for.
The last few weeks in Florida, I had disturbing dreams about the townhouse, primarily, I think, because we only saw it twice, then headed south. The dreams involved pulling up to the townhouse and it was sitting in the middle of a corn field--no trees, no grass, nothing like what had made me say, "This is it." Or coming into the kitchen and finding the floors in a state of demolition, pulling up the hardwoods to reveal linoleum with the hardwood destined to be sold. Ridiculous, I know.
Dan and I also talked about the purchases we would need to make, replacing items we had left behind in the house because we couldn't imagine using them again. Yes, that was a mistake for a few things--hindsight and all that. We agreed that given our age, it didn't make sense to wait on buying both what we needed and wanted. That was one of the more liberating feelings I've had, since I've been one to defer purchases a la "we don't really need that" and "we can make do with what we have."
We arrived home on Saturday, April 27 and the next morning Dan, Benny and I headed 20 minutes west, crossing over to a different county (Carver rather than Hennepin), to see the house. And it was a gazillion times better than I had recalled, dismissing with finality the bad dreams and opening the door to a place where I feel like I am home.
Gradually we moved items from the apartment and on Monday, the movers brought the heaviest boxes and furniture. I made short shrift of emptying many of the boxes, organizing and reorganizing and still organizing closets and cabinets. Blank walls await art work, photographs, memorabilia reflecting our 50 years together, the milestones and remembrances with family and friends. What a gift.
From my earliest days, my desk has always found its place against a window. No different here. As I write this, I'm looking out the window at the grass, trees, trail bordering our townhouse. And yes. I'm home.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bftC-_DFDDI
Hallelujah! So glad everything worked out and you are home!
ReplyDeleteSo happy for you! Can't wait to see it!
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