Even after packing and unpacking untold items, many of which we brought only because we thought we had to, today Nancy and I went shopping for things we “need.” You’d think we’d learned our lesson.
I remember when we moved seventeen years ago, downsizing big time, we decided that for everything new we brought into our little 1600 square foot house, something had to “go.” Obviously, we didn’t follow that rule for very long, and now that we’re in a 1200 sq. ft. space, we need to be even more vigilant.
Yet today, we bought more “stuff.” Tablecloths for the new tables, a very different size from the large extension table we gave away. A tall lamp. Haven’t had one of those since three houses ago. This apartment has overhead lighting, sort of, and reading is difficult without more direct light. So, of course, we bought a lamp. Then, because we decided to move and did it in a month’s time, I brought two favorite plants that needed repotting a month ago. Today we bought new pots for those two–the Christmas cactus that just loves living here and has doubled in size in the last few months, and the birdnest fern that shows better signs of survival here than at the other house. So, we bought the right mis of potting soils and cactus dirt for these and the housewarming bromilead that Nancy gave us. It must have a new pot. It too has almost doubled in size at our new place. Finally, because our new kitchen has white cabinets and black speckled marble countertops, and the foyer off the kitchen is decorated with red poppies, we just had to have new kitchen towels in reds. They will look beautiful.
Ev and I just looked through lots of pictures he’s been cataloging, because, again, we jus tmoved them without taking time to examine what they were. We found pictures of Cedar Rapids, our fist time in Florida, Randolph, NJ, and Claverack, New York. We just spent an hour or so reminiscing. What a joy.
Our new neighbors are just delightful. Ev met our soon-to-be upstairs neighbor who will be over our heads. Small world. He is from Long Island near where Ev grew up and Ev and I met and married. Our other neighbor just brought me the combination card I need to study for Mah jong (hope I’m spelling that right) so I can continue learning the ins and outs of that delightful game.
We are delighted to be fortunate enough to have almost settled in, actually without too much trauma at all. It was the end of June when we decided to start looking for a way to sell our house and find a place we’d like to live. One visit here sold us on the idea and the drama began. We never looked back, and God directed our steps.
I still have not had the courage, or whatever it takes, to drive by our home we loved. I do miss the birds, the wildlife, the gardens, the quiet mornings and the pleasure of home ownership, but, we don’t miss the bills, the upkeep, the weeding and caring for shrubs, etc., the maintenance, the concerns about yet one more appliance showing its planned obsolescence, and the changing neighborhood with six new neighbors in a year and all that construction around us.
Now, we are free to participate in activities or not, to enjoy a housekeeper once a week, to have meals prepared in a lovely dining room when we want them, and the excitement of meeting new people and learning new things, or simply “vegging” out.
We know that dreams come true, and with all the excitement of moving and enjoying new vistas as we have done now eleven times, we are feeling settled and delighted with our new surroundings in a place we already know and love, just across town.
As fall begins and school has started for our kids and grandkids, we talk about the same places and people, and our church is an anchor of friendship and valid teaching. We so look forward to our new church builidng being completed around Christmastime and all the anticipation that means.
Wishing all you dear readers the things where you find pleasure as well. But, don’t become too burdened with “stuff” that it starts owning you! That’s the big lesson. Nostalgia works only so long. To become unburdened from much that we didn’t bring with us, most of which we gave away to others to enjoy, we will, I promise myself (and you remind me) not make purchases of things we want, but only the ones we n
eed. Is that a bargain?
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