On the day this post is published, the ties to my family home of forty-some years will have been severed – except those in our family’s hearts and minds. The memories do not need a physical address – they will be ever strong.
From all the decisions that went into deciding to move, with all the angst in taking each step that led to today – it’s been an eye-opening, life-changing, love-affirming, exhausting, and soul-challenging process.
Every corner of a family home has stories to tell.
First steps. Squeals of laughter. Tears.
Adventures in blanketed, indoor forts to explorations of vistas unknown in the backyard woods. Hide and seek at night. Lightning bugs.
Saw teeth marks between the brick steps made by a future carpenter. Scraped knuckles made on the side house wall, because the sidewalk was too narrow for Hot Wheels. Rides around the yard with Dad on the lawn mower.
Two generations of children practicing their cooking skills in the kitchen. Biscuits-on-a-stick. Cookouts. Roller skating in the new garage until it got filled up.
Learning how to use tools, make things, repair things, and take care of things.
Music. Lots of music. Piano, trumpet, French horn, marimba, harp, and singing.
Empty nest.
The sweet anticipation of children returning home for visits. College. Careers.
Cups of coffee taken on the back porch swing – lots of that.
Mostly love.
Sometimes flawed love.
Forgiving love.
Old love and new love.
Holding on and letting go.
Thank you, house.
You were built in love. We watched you grow, too. Every corner, crevasse, crack, squeak – Oh, we know you well.
With love I let you go, so someone new can build their memories here.
Perhaps there will be music, adventure, great family meals, and cups of coffee taken on the back porch swing.
But mostly … love.
GOODNIGHT MOON by Eric Whitacre – Sung by Hila Plitmann
In health –
Deidre
GOODNIGHT MOON LYRICS
In the great green room
There was a telephone
And a red balloon
And a picture of –
The cow jumping over the moon
And there were three little bears sitting on chairs
And two little kittens
And a pair of mittens
And a little toy house
And a young mouse
And a comb and a brush, and a bowl full of mush
And a quiet old lady who was whispering, “hush”
Goodnight moon
Goodnight room
Goodnight cow jumping over the moon
Goodnight light
And the red balloon
Goodnight bears
Goodnight chairs
Goodnight kittens
And goodnight mittens
Goodnight clocks
And goodnight socks
Goodnight little house
Goodnight mouse
Goodnight comb
And goodnight brush
Goodnight nobody
Goodnight mush
And goodnight to the old lady whispering, “hush”
Goodnight stars
Goodnight air
Goodnight noises everywhere
Goodnight
Goodnight
Goodnight noises everywhere
———————
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I will help you carry memories of your home forward. Can’t wait to see your next adventure!
You were a part of those memories, for sure! Thanks for the continued love and support no matter where the walls of the home are!
Such a beautiful post. I had tears in my eyes listening to Goodnight Moon.
Sending love and prayers for you both on your new journey.
Thank you, Shaun! I had tears as the last notes played, as well. It was a total surprise to me from my sweet, insightful editor, Sheree Alderman, who intuitively knows just how to match pictures and music to meanings. Taking the first steps into the rest of my life!
Beautiful, Deidre….
I will miss you.
Thank you, sweet friend. I will miss our popping over to see each other at any time, as well, but we’ve already “been there” for each other from a distance and there definitely will be visits!