Today Jeff and I are packing up the house – everything except the kids’ rooms. We’re making Goodwill piles and give-to-other-people piles, and throw away piles. And an even smaller pile is the take-this-to-Malawi pile.
Tonight we will go from room to room with the kids sharing happy memories, sad memories and saying any apologies we need to say. We will give thanks and pray for the new family who moves in this week. So that in the morning we can say good-bye to this house that has held our family the past six years.
It’s the only house Claire Marin remembers. It’s the house that we brought Carter home to. For all my complaints about suburbia, despite the annoyance of all the Homeowner’s Association rules, and even in light of our deep desire to downsize, this is still our home – a sanctuary from the craziness of the world, the place where we love each other well and where we have shared much hospitality with friends and family.
When we moved in we had so little furniture that our words echoed through the house. We had only one quiet daughter. Slowly we filled the space with new furniture and new furnishings – Grandpa Oliver’s chair, lots of furniture from Mom and Dad’s attic, and a few new things. We added a child – and a disproportionate amount of noise for one small boy. The walls that once echoed, have now heard our anger, our laughter, our cries, and our squeals of delight. As we move the furniture out, it’s as if the “Oliver-ness” of the house seeps out of the walls and wafts gently out the open doors. It’s natural preparation for the new family that will make their home here.
Carter can hide behind the clothes in any closet. The kids can snuggle with us on the couch wherever it is set up next. Claire Marin can read Lemony Snicket’s Series of Unfortunate Events anywhere. Jeff and I will continue to be lovers wherever we are. But it’s still sad to think that all that we have done and been here, will soon be memories we cannot quite reproduce.
Well, there are more boxes to pack. More laundry to do. And more memories to release.
Prayer request: For a smooth transition to the guest house at Glendale UMC.
