In the summer of 2015 we moved my 93 year-old grandmother out of the home she had lived in for 52 years. She and my grandpa purchased this brand new home in 1963, 2 years before I was born. If you were to visit the home you would find the original cabinets, light fixtures and tile work in the bathrooms—brownish/peach in the main and turquoise in the master– all in great shape! My grandparents took exquisite care of their home—every system was sound, if there was ever any sort of problem, it was attended to immediately. Growing up with single parents in the early 1900’s made both of them very grateful of the income and stability they had been able to create in their lifetime. They never had to have the “latest and greatest” – they took care of what they had– their bedroom set was the one my grandfather purchased when they were married in 1942. That said, I think they probably went through at least 5 braided area rugs in the family room. No one could rival my grandmother and the hours of care she gave to her gardens—that work helped her stay “young” for many years.
We sold the house in August, to a very appreciative young man—his first home purchase. I went to say “goodbye” to the house. Every room had given me and my family so much, touring was like visiting a timeline of my life: vomiting after my tonsillectomy all over the dining table (I was 4), the sewing room (which was also the laundry room) where my grandma (and Mom) sewed the latest fashions for my sisters and I, the bedroom where I’d lived in after college, my own children cuddling with my grandfather in his family room “chair”—so many memories that I really allowed myself to pause and feel. Wow, it’s been an amazing life of love and this house was a huge touchpoint for so many moments. Of course, the home is also a huge emblem of the unconditional love my grandparents provided—we all need to have that kind of love where no matter what the day has brought there’s someone on the planet that will think you’re the most amazing person ever.
It’s a strange feeling knowing that I’ll never get to go inside again. I know I can always revisit in my mind and through photobooks; somehow the memories seem more clear when you’re actually standing in the place where they occurred. Here’s to the homes that take care of us and are the perfect settings for the moments we create every day. May your home be filled with the love that we found in this perfect little rambler with the sunken living room and the fresh sheets drying on the line in the backyard.
Happy Home!
Shannon