topic Re: Packing Memories in Home

Packing Memories

Desert Lily — Tue, 01 Mar 2022 23:29:45 GMT

As some of you know, I've been building a house on the East coast. I live on the West coast now and will be moving almost 3,000 miles. I'll be close to a sibling and my child in the East.

Today, I received notice that I will be closing before the end of April. I know I should be jumping for joy that there seems to be an end to this long building journey. Instead, I'm crying as I write this.

Now that the move is real, I feel like I'm leaving so much behind. My parents have passed and I buried them here. Everyday, I see where my dog used to lay by my chair before she passed at 18. My child worked so hard here in school to become a National Merit Scholar and ended up at 2 ivy league colleagues in the East. There are the other memories; you know - the birthday parties, the holidays, the family & friends gatherings.

I don't know how to pack up all those memories in boxes or in my suitcases for the flight East. I don't know if all the memories I have will fit.

I know, I'll make new memories. But, that reminds me of the old Girl Scout song: "Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver, and the other is gold." Those old memories are gold to me.

Re: Packing Memories

Still Raining — Tue, 01 Mar 2022 23:45:23 GMT

This is are hard transition, although wished for, still tough.

I wish you all the peace you need to make the move. It will worth it to be near loved ones ❤️

Re: Packing Memories

ThinkingOutLoud — Wed, 02 Mar 2022 00:05:22 GMT

I'm tearing up with you because I know what you mean. Although my move was a good thing and I'm grateful things fell into place, part of my heart is still where I lived for many years. As @Still Raining said, it will be good to be close to your sibling and child.

Wishing you all the best as you go through the process of packing, moving and adjusting. <3

Re: Packing Memories

Sooner — Wed, 02 Mar 2022 00:07:11 GMT

@Desert Lily I am so happy for you! You are so lucky to have someone to move near! But I am sad that you are sad.

What I have learned in my long life and being "blessed" () to be executor of more than one estate is that memories do not reside in stuff. The stuff is what people you loved had in their lives. Which may not be what you want in your new life, and that's ok!

We are not muesums of our loved ones who have passed, we each have our own lives to collect and put our stamp on. Don't be afriad to pare down, send loved things to new people to love and cherish, and move lightened and enthusiastic about a new home and new memories with your family!

I smile thinking about the kitchen bar where my dad taught me to play poker when mother wasn't home! But I am glad I don't have that poor old house any more. I am blessed that someone bought it. And the big old trunks, and the cast iron pieces, and so much more!

I think the move will be a wonderful time in your life, with more security and happiness to come!

Have fun, cherish your memories, and I hope your move is blessed with being near people you love!

Re: Packing Memories

LIG1 — Wed, 02 Mar 2022 00:22:10 GMT

Congratulations @Desert Lily on your upcoming move into your beautiful new home. I can relate to the joy and the tears that comes with a move and I wish you much happiness on the beautiful new memories that you'll make in your new home.

Re: Packing Memories

Drythe — Wed, 02 Mar 2022 00:34:01 GMT

@Desert Lily

As an East Coaster, please allow me to say, Welcome, and yes, it

will be different. Please give us some slack as you adjust! 😉

As for those wonderful memories, have no fear; they will travel along nicely tucked away in your heart ♥️ - No wrinkles, No mildew, no massive storage space. so take them out often and enjoy!

Safe travels.

Re: Packing Memories

spiderw — Wed, 02 Mar 2022 00:52:28 GMT

Memories never leave us no matter how far we may go. They stay treasured and cherished in our hearts and minds, always there for when we need to bring them out. Your cross country move, Desert Lily, will not erase what you left behind.

I understand it is difficult, it would be for me. Crying proves how much you will miss but you will gain new memories and hopefully make new friends, Welcome to the East Coast, I hope you will be happy and find peace of mind. I wish you well.

Re: Packing Memories

Kachina624 — Wed, 02 Mar 2022 03:06:06 GMT

I'm saving my tears for your first snowfall next winter. I hope you're in a townhouse or condo with snow removal, but you'll still have to drive in it. Living in the Southwest does tend to spoil one.

Re: Packing Memories

proudlyfromNJ — Wed, 02 Mar 2022 03:27:05 GMT

@Desert Lily Welcome to the East coast. Nothing is better than being with family! As for those memories, they will be with you forever and you won't even have to pack them!

Re: Packing Memories

millieshops — Wed, 02 Mar 2022 11:34:36 GMT

@Desert Lily What I wish for you is that once you move you find that you did pack those memories, a few in pictures but even more in your wonderful memories. Further, once you are more settled in the new home. I wish you the warmth and closeness of being near family and making new memories.

I made a major move just about a year back - it is exhausting physically and emotionally but please come back in some months and tell us the benefits of your move.

Re: Packing Memories

PamfromCT — Wed, 02 Mar 2022 11:58:27 GMT

I think your feelings about leaving your former home are completely normal. But your decision to relocate near your child is a wise one. Both for you and for your child.

I have always lived on the East Coast, in New England, and love it here. We enjoy the change of seasons and appreciate our access to so many historic and cultural attractions.

Wishing you every happiness in your new home.

Re: Packing Memories

LindaSal — Wed, 02 Mar 2022 14:03:19 GMT

@Desert Lily Another life long east coaster here and yes, welcome to our side of the country! While every state has it's charm I love calling New England my home......I always say you can take me out of NE but you can't take the NE out of me!

Your post was heart felt and as others said, which were my thoughts exactly, you will pack those memories in your heart, not in your suitcase..........I wish you a safe and happy journey to the next part of your life

Re: Packing Memories

goldensrbest — Wed, 02 Mar 2022 15:36:10 GMT

Those cherished memories will be with you ,where ever you go,because they are not only in your head,but are in your heart.

Re: Packing Memories

ECBG — Wed, 02 Mar 2022 16:08:49 GMT

@Desert Lily

Your post brought tears to my eyes.

I can't tell you how many times I have been if a room and it's like a movie if everything that has happens in this home we built. The babies we had and nurtured, the room of the son we lost in a wreck at 19, the back yard sand pile, swing set, and basket ball goal, now gone.

Every dog we have ever had is here in our woods as well as our son's.

I am thankful that we have helped nurture grandsons at the same table and watch them grow and love the same woods as their dad and young uncle did.

You have some beautiful times ahead to enjoy. You will see more of your family and see all of the growth steps as they share the excitement of your new home with you.

The love that you have in your home will surely follow you to your new home, and I am sure your family is very anxious for all of you to be together so they can share more of their lives with you!

Re: Packing Memories

Sooner — Wed, 02 Mar 2022 16:57:44 GMT

@Drythe You said it perfectly! I will copy this and pass it along many times.

As for those wonderful memories, have no fear; they will travel along nicely tucked away in your heart ♥️ - No wrinkles, No mildew, no massive storage space. so take them out often and enjoy!

Re: Packing Memories

ninjawife — Wed, 02 Mar 2022 23:00:29 GMT

I have moved two times in my adult life. All in the same general area but nonetheless each move was heart breaking and took time for me to adjust. The first move was from a big city to the suburbs outside another city across my narrow state. My DH and I moved because I was pregnant with our first child and we needed a bigger home. Our new home was brand new and our street had 7 other children born the same year as my daughter but I still missed our first home. We moved again 8 years ago after my mother died and we asked my father if he wanted to live with us. We wanted to give him his own space so we bought a home with a large basement which we converted into an in-law suite for him complete with a kitchenette, 2 sitting areas, bedroom, bathroom and laundry. We moved for a very good reason but I really had a hard time leaving our old place.

You are moving for very good reasons but I think no matter why you choose to move it is always stressful and hard to let go of the past.

Re: Packing Memories

alliswell — Thu, 03 Mar 2022 00:48:52 GMT

@Drythe wrote:
@Desert Lily

As an East Coaster, please allow me to say, Welcome, and yes, it
will be different. Please give us some slack as you adjust! 😉

As for those wonderful memories, have no fear; they will travel along nicely tucked away in your heart ♥️ - No wrinkles, No mildew, no massive storage space. so take them out often and enjoy!

Safe travels.

Very true. @Drythe @Desert Lily

Re: Packing Memories

wagirl — Thu, 03 Mar 2022 15:43:53 GMT

@Desert Lily ---take pictures with your phone---I was forced to move from my house of 35 years--the X was/is having a mid life crisis and decided he needed a change---so I packed up all my stuff, taking photos of it before it was put in boxes for storage---I took photos of the new lights, the new ceiling fans, and the new bathroom and the new bedrooms we just had remodeled and all the spaces./places I really liked about the house, inside and out and even the stuff I decided to donate. I took pics of the creek in the back yard and even my mailbox. I took pics of the furniture I had to get rid of. It was the most gut wrenching thing I had to do but-----I can look back anytime to see it all.