Day 23 - Goodbye
Similarly, we also were about to experience the end of an era. And just like the burn barrel, this one kind of stunk as well.
Leaving our neighborhood was probably the toughest part of the decision, mainly because of our neighbors. We loved the nearby nature preserve and recreational trail. We enjoyed having convenience to every store imaginable and the expressway. But overall, we adored our neighbors.
As soon as the closing meeting concluded, I headed back to the old house one final time to make sure we had cleared out every last thing.
What I saw when I pulled into the driveway that final time made me smirk and giggle inside. I also found it timely and ironic. The water main directly in front of the house had burst and water was pouring like a river down the street. My wife and I had a joke about practically every single water main break bursting at the most inopportune times. I saw this latest burst as an initiation for the new owners. Welcome to the neighborhood!
Once inside, I made one final sweep. As I checked every vacant room, memories overwhelmed me. This was the house our marriage began in. This was the house where my very inexperienced and amateur home repair skills flourished (sort of). Ths was the house our kids started their lives in. This was the house we had called home for fifteen years. Using the video function on my phone, I made a short video walking through each room, noting memories that came to me from that room and fighting back tears pretty much the whole time. Then I headed outside and walked around the yard choking back even more emotion as I re-lived many of the outdoor adventures I enjoyed with my three budding naturalists. Hours on the swingset. Raising butterflies. Blowing bubbles. Chalk art. Birdwatching. Walking the dogs. Backyard bonfires.
After completing my video, it was time to say goodbye to the house and neighborhood. I walked to the front of the house for one last photo, ending up with soaked shoes as I snapped the photo while standing in the burst water main river streaming down the street.
