Among Friends

[Still keeper of the koi]

It has snowed, sleeted and turned our little world here into glistening  sheets of glass like ice the past few days.I was standing in our barn looking out at the soft snow like feathers wafting down,it looked so beautiful,,so peaceful...I need that peace these past few days.My Mils house is being purchased,I had to inventory all her things,remove the family things,and prepare to say good bye to this house that started my life here.I lived there for a few weeks before I married my incredible husband,he had a home already,mine had sold.I am old fashioned,no living together,we would be married first.So many memories most of all,while showing the house for the last time,I walked out to this balcony on the fourth floor..I held back my tears ,I could see that young girl 25 years ago in a big wedding gown looking at the photographer.My heart was full of dreams.My life has exceeded those dreams by 100 fold.How many birthdays for our family  were shared on that veranda, overlooking the water?How many sorrows were shared from loss there as well? I realized without my mil ,this house is just a prop,a beautiful backdrop,the family we are brought it to life....It is now under contract ,a couple bought it for  holidays,they will helicopter in for weekends and suchThey purchased it furnished, This was my mil dream home,while it will not be ours, her dream lives in us,to ce lebrate  family,to hold each others hands ,have each others backs and to keep her alive.It is strange letting go,but freeing to know all is not lost...I hope what ever change you are going through leads you to a revelation,  that you know love never dies,it changes form ,from earthly to heavely,eternity.I  wish for peace to flood your heart and lives,that you are able to give love that will live forever..Hugs, love,MaryAnne

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[Lilcando]

Thank you for your beautiful post!  I am trying to work thru getting my own home ready to sell....50 years of memories....my kids are having a hard time....I’m having a hard time!  You are a wonderful writer who made me “see” the love in your MIL home and somehow has made it easier to move ahead with mine!!  Thank you!

[2blonde]

@Still keeper of the koi  Such a beautiful post, MaryAnne.  You made me think about the house I spent my first 19 years in.  My parents actually built it themselves, brick by brick and paycheck to paycheck.  They had first purchased the land in the country and built a small 2 room "cabin" behind where the house would be.  They lived in that tiny place with me (a screamin' baby) and my older sister, while they built the house.  My dad worked nights in a factory so he could work on the house during the day.  I still have some vague memories of us moving into the upstairs while my parents continued to work on the downstairs.  I was so young that I can remember being in a crib and a playpen.

After my dad died over 20 years ago, my younger sister moved into the house and is still living there today, and the two of us are the only ones left of the family.  It's funny to be able to go back inside that house now at the age of 69.  It always seemed so big when I was a kid, but seems so much smaller to me now.  Like me, that place is pushing 70 years old........I guess I'm lucky I can still go back for a visit!

[Still keeper of the koi]

@2blonde,It is surprising all the memories that are made in a home.The memories are so vivid, so soul moving.I wish yourself and your sister have many more precious years together.There is a song by Miranda Lambert called the house that built me.Take a listen ,you sound like that song.I think it is the sheer love that fills us up.Life simple and plain,not the ground shaking moments,just life...thank you for that lovely  recollection of yours, very sweet...hugs,love,MaryAnne

[bonnielu]

Thanks for your post.  We have been in our home for almost 50 years.  I look around and wonder who will be here next and I wonder what will I do with my vast collection of stuff. My daughters have indicated they want nothing and suggest I need to identify WHAT A TRASH CAN IS.  I just hope that was a joke.  I know you "cannot take it with you," but so many memories and I just wanted to share with them.  

[Deb0509]

Beautiful post. Made me cry. Bless you.

[2blonde]

@bonnielu  It may be that your daughters haven't yet reached the age where memories and momentos become so important. The passing of friends and family tends to accelerate as we get older, and each loss brings back a lot of reflection.  I found out today about the passing of an old friend.  She and I had drifted apart many years ago, but all those old memories of the fun and crazy times we had came back to me like a movie.

[Still keeper of the koi]

 @bonnielu,don't put so much into their words now,death is a hard thing to process,they may just be brushing it off ,hoping the time wont come...I took off the contents all the family things,they will go into storage for now,I am thinking of wedding days and such to gift in honor of my mil.The hardest thing,the hall pictures,my mil grandparents,her parents,all of our wedding photos.It was like ending a time ,I am hanging those photos in our entry way for now.My husband and I now host our family times,I hope things will feel similar for others.You sound like a loving mother,don't worry,your daughters will always remember your love,hugs,MaryAnne

[Still keeper of the koi]

@Deb0509,You are so precious,the blessings on our lives come from hearts and souls like yours.Sending you love ,hugs,and devine,special peace..MaryAnne

[viva923]

yesterday I gingerly walked down the steps after our sleet,ice,freezing rain, rain event we had yesterday. stepped on the patio and slid right into the flame red bush right in front of the steps. glad it was there, it stopped my slide

the cement was the slippery part, the black top roadways was fine. I was able to take my walks.

the crocus are peaking thru so spring must be somewhere around.