The following post was taken from my ‘journal’ on the day we said good bye to our house. I post it here as a way of sharing the journey to minimalism. I hope it captures the heart of our choice, that while some things may sting or create sadness, it does not make them wrong. I believe sometimes saying good bye to one thing and looking forward to the future with excitement can co-exist. This is my personal walk through one of those times.
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Yesterday was a day I knew was coming and I knew would come.
I hadn’t intentionally put it off
The timing had not been right before yesterday.
I had to be open enough to let it arrive, and to accept that it was happening.
As I walked in, I knew it was the day.
I walked slowly through each room.
Remembering.
The decision on which granite and which appliances.
The laying of each floorboard in each room.
The night fires and cool morning swims.
And like a wave the emotion caught me.
Quietly at first.
As if it might be a small wave.
But then it began to come in torrential sweeping gusts.
Over and over the emotion along with the memories.
Each casting of my eyes another memory and another ache at there never being another in this place.
It had always been the plan.
Live a while.
Sell when we’d make money.
It had taken so long to feel like mine.
I thought maybe it never would.
But as I stood at the railing, I knew that it was my home and I was leaving it and saying goodbye for the last time.
He held me very, very close as the sobs escaped over and over again.
And when he released me, his eyes too were shiny with tears.
We reviewed our fondest moments.
Times of laughter and learning.
Change and hope and growth.
We paused and prayed, our hearts full of gratitude and asked that the place be a haven to another and a path to Him who provides all.
It’s time to go now.
I’ve no doubt.
It doesn’t make the leaving any less emotional or in some ways sad.
It’s always a little sad to close a good chapter.
Knowing there were some lasts that we didn’t realize.
But we said our thank yous and our goodbyes.
We acknowledged all the good.
We turned our faces to the next adventure and prayed the journey continue to be blessed.
The memories will remain.
Always.
I loved you, House of Wales.
You were so good to our family and to me.
I honor your giving to us and us to you.
Thank you.
Always.
Middle Age Minimalism 