Posted on 04/18/2018 7:08:10 PM PDT by Skooz
In September 2001, I bought the lot, covered in trees and so thick with brush you couldn’t walk through it. I cleared the land myself. We built the house in 2002, moving in on Labor Day. The columns on the front porch were my ex-wife’s excellent idea.
My father died four days after we moved in and I never got to show it to him.
My oldest daughter, age 11 when we moved here, entered adolescence and then womanhood in this home. I met her nervous first dates on that porch.
When my youngest daughter was born, I carried her through that door two days later. Her first steps were in the living room; she read her first words in the kitchen. She spoke her first words, I think, in her bedroom. That’s it behind the middle dormer.
We have played, oh, about 3 million hours of board games on her carpet.
The Best Dog Ever is buried in the back yard, under a branch that somehow sprouts flowers every winter.
I’ve spent numberless hours making this house a home; laying the flooring, installing fixtures, chopping down trees, planting trees, clearing brush, building a fence, painting, painting, painting. I spent two winters crawling under it, installing insulation. My blood is in this place.
Three hurricanes have pounded that roof. I went through three chainsaws cutting down trees. In May 2009, by myself, I built a deck in the back. It’s 16‘ X 24’ and I think it’s pretty nice.
I lived almost 1/3 of my life here, longer than I have lived anywhere else. The best days and worst days of my life I spent here; from days of rapturous, transcendent blissful happiness to days of crippling, heart-wrenching, despair – these walls have seen it all.
I lived here married, lived here through a divorce, lived here as a newly liberated newly single man. Here, hope has gone full circle: The sun rose, set, took its sweet time traversing the other side of the globe, then rose again – right on time – brighter than ever.
I’ve been trying to sell this place for years. The reasons we built here (proximity to my ex-wife’s job and eldest daughter’s school) have long ago run their course. Neither live here anymore.
But, now that I’m moving, my mind is filled with reasons to miss the old place. To underscore that refrain, the most amazing wisteria explosion on earth, which covers the vacant lot next door every March, just came into full bloom yesterday. I always open the windows and let the fragrance waft through the house. There is nothing like it. Nothing.
I’ve prayed for a new house and God answered right on time. I’m grateful. But, a large part of my heart will always be within these walls, wandering the huge back yard, crawling around the attic.
It’s a high maintenance house and I lack the time to provide the attention it needs. My new home is much more practical. I suppose it’s something like going from a turbulent, passionate affair to something more stable and comfortable.
It’s time to move. I’m looking forward to it.
Ok, you’re making me cry. It’s a beautiful house. The next occupants will feel that aura of love and life. Good luck to you in your next.
Very well written.
I hope your new home brings you all new joys.
Oh, and we have some far more wimpy but equally beautiful wisteria here. I can only imagine yours.
Awww, well I’m glad you’ve had good tenants. We built this house 46 years ago. Both our kids were raised in this house. I can’t ever see Hub and I anywhere but here. He feels the same way. I hope God is merciful and allows us to stay here until our last breath. This place is our comfort zone. It’s everything to us.
Thanks for sharing your memories.
You should consider short story writing. You are a natural.
May the future bring the best of luck and new memories that continue to enrich lifes journey.
I just watched an interview with Bill Murray. He said his sister owns and lives in the home they grew up in, so he gets to go back and visit, which is nice.
It’s a strange feeling for 3 to 5 months getting used to new digs. I lived in the same home for 37 years and thought I would go insane if I moved anywhere else but alas, the new place is wonderful and my new neighbors are fantastic. Sometimes I miss the old neighborhood so I walk my old paths but I’m just fine. You will be too.
Hopefully you will find a buyer who will appreciate your house.
Good luck with your new house.
Sweet story about your beautiful home. Thanks for posting.
Great story.
That was lovely! I guess nowhere on this earth will be our “permanent home” but we can make great memories wherever we go. As a relative tells me, “Bloom where you’re planted”. Best of luck on the new place!
Nice my friend.
The memories are real and will last for the rest of your life.
Blessings to you as you move toward the future.
PS - nice job on the home.
That is a nice story. Thanks for taking the time to share it.
Lovely home and lovely story. Best wishes for your new adventure.
This is probably my favorite vanity of all time. It reminds me of the houses where I spent significant parts of my life.
That porch is killer.
Oh, and vacant lot? Isn’t that where the homeless and their poop and needles congregate? Lots of fertilizer but no wisteria on Ventura Blvd vacation lots...
Thanks for sharing. Your house is a family member.
Hold the memories, enjoy your new home. Thanks for sharing this!
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