I said goodbye yesterday. After 20+ years, my parents decided to “downsize” to a townhouse (in quotes because it’s more square footage than their single home). It’s much better suited to them—no outside upkeep, two master bedrooms so there will be a place for my grandmother to live with them when she is ready. But, it is strange to say goodbye to the place where I lived for my most formative years.
When they built the house back in the late 80s, we gathered as a family in the home under construction and prayed. I barely remember doing that to be honest. I wish I could remember it more clearly and remember specifically how I prayed. I’m sure I was a bit quiet, a little embarrassed to pray aloud with them and probably joked about it being cheesy or something.
Yesterday, my sisters and I made the journey “home” for the last time. We walked around the house, all taken apart now with most everything boxed up. We went through a few last remaining items Mom wasn’t sure what to do with: “Anybody want this before I junk it?” type of stuff. I took a bunch of pictures—should have done that before things were pretty much empty. I thought I had more time. We all drove over to the grounds of the new place (the Ellicott model with the alternate second floor) and checked that out again, only minutes from the house. Then, we gathered, just the 5 of us, and prayed again, 21 years later. We thanked God for His provision of that house in the first place, a house my parents never imagined they could buy. We thanked God for the memories He gave us there. We thanked God that when everything else in life changes, He is faithful and steadfast, unchanging. We prayed for the family moving in, that He would be Lord of their family as well. And, we prayed for the memories yet to be made in the new house and that the family would know that it wasn’t the walls that made that house a home, it was the family and the One who has held the family together through the years and will continue to do just that.
This was my bedroom. I spent a lot of time here—time snuggling with our dog Ziggy in bed, talking to all hours of the night on the phone to boyfriends, crying over heart break, reading in bed, fighting with my sisters, completing my college applications, dreaming of the future. My 150 year old double brass bed (which had been moved to another room years ago) made the cut and will be one of the few pieces that will be at the new place. I’m glad.
This was the bathroom I shared with my sisters—I spent an embarrassing number of hours in here prepping for school; creating big bangs; and curling eyelashes and such to get ready for homecoming dances, proms, and eventually our wedding.
This is the garage door opener. I wonder the number of people who knew the code to get in here. Our house always had folks in and out. It must be hundreds that know the code (Note to new owners—may want to change this next week).
This is the original 5—now totaling 15 (16 once we have Lydia)—on the front steps, the same steps where we took pictures before every dance with our dates. The railing was added later. And, the shrubs are much much bigger.
And, this (drumroll, please) is the site of what will be the new family center. It should be finished in February and look just like the one below. It’s a great house—has 4 ½ bathrooms, a screened-in porch, and a cool basement with a big tv in the plan. The kids will love it there, I’m sure. And, okay, fine, I guess I will too.
We gathered our wedding gowns and walked out for the last time with a sigh. After a nice meal together, I headed home, my home, the home where my roots now are, the home my children will grow up in. Though I know I can’t hold onto that too tightly, there is something very warming about that. I realized that as much as I loved my parents’ house, it was just that, their house. We have our own home now, a home we gathered in as well on moving day and prayed over with our family and friends 6 years ago. And, one day (as much as I hate to admit it), my children will have their own homes. It’s very humbling to consider. And, all the while, He remains the same, faithful from generation to generation.
Wow Kelly! This sounded like a post I could’ve written. But it’s no secret that I am just ‘tad bit’ sentimental!! ;o) I had to laugh when you talked about the ’embarracing’ number of hours spent in the bathroom, creating big bangs and getting ready for dates, proms, etc… all too famililar!! LOL! I related to nearly every paragraph in some way, and I remember the last day I walked through our house when my parents left. I still have dreams of that house quite often. It’s strange how those ‘formative’ years tug so hard at our heartstrings. I try to remember how important they are to me, when I’m looking at my own children realizing they are growing in those very same ways.
…oh how the years go by!!
Praying that your parents new home is filled with MANY wonderful new memories that will stay with you for years to come!
Blessings and Hugs,
~Tanya
wow.
time flies doesn’t it? i’ll be the same when my mom sells her house! but i agree with the saying…
home is where your mama is!
I loved this post. I felt the same way when my parents moved. I still like to drive by the house when I’m “home” to feel all the memories. I really liked the family picture- that was a neat idea!
Praise the Lord for such a Godly heritage! I didn’t have that growing up. What a blessing your family is loving, serving and following the Lord so many years later. Yes, all may change, but God is never changing.
I hope your parents have many, many happy years with their grand kids at their new place….I’m sure they will!
I can relate to all of this–love the story and I love how you write–I felt like I was there with you watching a movie of your house–not just reading words on a page.
But I moved a lot as a child–so there was not just one home for my parents to leave. I feel a little fortunate to not have to experience that trauma. Each time we left a house it got easier. And in the end–I began to like the move–the excitement of something new, like a new adventure. I think it’s part of why I don’t live very close to home even now.
But the part–I really love is your closing paragraph–where you talk about YOUR home. Dan and I area always looking at selling this home (it’s our first home and we built it–no one else has lived here but us). When we return home-no matter how extravagant the home’s we looked at are–I always say–“oh…but I love THIS home..it’s OUR home.” Now this home I would surely miss if we ever had to move. And now that Izabella is joining us soon–it’s going to really be a home with a FAMILY of 3! Wow! Un-believeable.
Praying Lydia comes soon for you my friend! Soon!
Hugs,
Lisa A
Awww, Kelly. This brought tears to my eyes. It’s hard to let go of such a big piece of your childhood. Hold on to those memories and may God bless your family with many new ones in the new house!
Where will your parents live until it is built?
So precious, Friend. Shared some tears with you. Thanks for sharing;)
Thanks for sharing that with us. Your parents will now be able to relax without all the extra things to do on a daily basis. They will also meet all new wonderful acquaintences to add to their circle of friendship. Possibly more free time for the wonderful grandchildren!
This is such a heartfelt post, thanks for sharing. I feel like I was with you walking through the house for the last time….this will help me as my Mom has recently started talking about downsizing since my Dad has been gone now 7 years, and it’s so much work for her. I cannot WAIT to see your home complete with your precious Lydia!
This post made me cry. It is inevitable that one day I too will have to say goodbye to the home I grew up in. I never lived ANYWHERE else, my parents still live there, and my kids now are being woven into the fabric of the memories I have there. I cannot even imagine saying goodbye. So, this post just hit me hard. I know it is just a house, but I can TOTALLY understand why it would be hard to let go and say goodbye!
I pray that there will be lots of wonderful memories made in the new house! It’s beautiful, that’s for sure!!!
It sounds like you have some wonderful memories to always hold close and cherish.
Their new home looks gorgeous as well! Think of it as a new canvas that will now be painted with memories of the 15 (was it?) vs. the 5.
Sending hugs your way…I know it had to be a sad day!