I jetted off to the beautiful Pacific Northwest last week to visit with family, and I've thoroughly enjoyed my spring break. One of the days, I had the chance to drive past a house that John, the kids, and I formerly called home.
We didn't live there very long, but we put a lot of work into making it ours. We painted, planted, plumbed, and installed porch rails. We lived a simple life in that tiny town, but we made big memories.
I walked down memory lane as we came into city limits. The grocery store sign wished Paul happy birthday. We approached the intersection with the blinking yellow light--the only traffic light in town--then crossed over the train tracks. I mentally wished Paul happy birthday, too, as I saw him outside his towing/repair shop. (He towed us home several times in the past, and he never had to ask where we lived. Gotta love small towns!)
A few more turns, and our house came into view. Except, it wasn't the house I remember. The new owners had turned it into their home. I had no say in the changes they made. Not only did they make changes, they removed some of the changes we had made. Gone is my garden, gone is my cute porch rail, and gone are my fruit trees--including the ancient cherry tree that produced huge amounts of the most delicious cherries! Now the house is nearly hidden behind fir trees and chain-linked fencing. The paint color isn't what I would have chosen.
After moaning a bit, I gave myself a talking-to. First of all, it's not my house! I loved living there in the past, but now someone else gets to love it and make it their own. Secondly, how great that I got to make the changes I wanted to while I lived there. Everything we did to the place brought me joy. Would it have been better if I had driven by and wished we had thought to make the changes the new owners made? No. Finally, I'm certainly not an expert in style, so I shouldn't judge their choices.
How about you? What is your reaction when you see your former homes?
Thankful thought: Thanks for homes, and thanks for freedom to change!
We didn't live there very long, but we put a lot of work into making it ours. We painted, planted, plumbed, and installed porch rails. We lived a simple life in that tiny town, but we made big memories.
I walked down memory lane as we came into city limits. The grocery store sign wished Paul happy birthday. We approached the intersection with the blinking yellow light--the only traffic light in town--then crossed over the train tracks. I mentally wished Paul happy birthday, too, as I saw him outside his towing/repair shop. (He towed us home several times in the past, and he never had to ask where we lived. Gotta love small towns!)
A few more turns, and our house came into view. Except, it wasn't the house I remember. The new owners had turned it into their home. I had no say in the changes they made. Not only did they make changes, they removed some of the changes we had made. Gone is my garden, gone is my cute porch rail, and gone are my fruit trees--including the ancient cherry tree that produced huge amounts of the most delicious cherries! Now the house is nearly hidden behind fir trees and chain-linked fencing. The paint color isn't what I would have chosen.
After moaning a bit, I gave myself a talking-to. First of all, it's not my house! I loved living there in the past, but now someone else gets to love it and make it their own. Secondly, how great that I got to make the changes I wanted to while I lived there. Everything we did to the place brought me joy. Would it have been better if I had driven by and wished we had thought to make the changes the new owners made? No. Finally, I'm certainly not an expert in style, so I shouldn't judge their choices.
How about you? What is your reaction when you see your former homes?
Thankful thought: Thanks for homes, and thanks for freedom to change!
Chain link and no cherry tree? That's just wrong! :o(
ReplyDeleteI always notice the lawns when we've seen former houses......they always seem to be dying! We are basic gardeners, but really like to keep things looking 'alive', so it's hard to see it brown or mostly dirt!