And Now it is Empty

Untitled, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

I lived in this house since 1986. My children, 4 and 6 at the time grew up here. It was time to move on, but closing the door for the last time left me a little melancholy. Memories of occasions, both happy and sad came flooding in. It's a feeling that won't last as the memories can travel with me. It was a great home, a great place to bring up my children.

Yesterday we gave over the keys to the new owners. The house will move on too - to be filled with new stories. I have closed the chapter on my contribution to its life.

I am happy with my new place. I'm into condo living with fewer responsibilities, indoor parking which is particularly delightful in winter, and living on one floor. New memories are being written in my new abode.

The process of selling and the many odd twists it took, have taken some of my energy - hence fewer photo jaunts and blog posts. I'm feeling very upbeat about the future as I can devote more of that energy into these pleasures of life - photography and writing.

Day 295: Dusting of Snow

Day 295: Dusting of Snow, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Renovations help you to divest yourself of all kinds of junk. I had to clear out my front cupboard for repairs and painting and put a couple more garbage bags of stuff out. The rain that was falling changed to snow and dusted the bag with snow.

It's too early for me to appreciate snow and all the hassles it brings, but I do love its clean white feel. Today was like a November day, grey, damp and gloomy. It was a day for soup and hot tea and a fireplace, the warmth needed to chase away grey feelings. In a couple of weeks I'll be able to enjoy all those things at home; for now there is dust falling everywhere, from plastering. But the next step is fresh paint and my house will have a pristine feel like fresh fallen snow.

Day 46: Going Back in Time

Day 46: Going Back in Time, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Another loss - another funeral - this time a former neighbour. This is our old house. We lived across the street from her for nine years. After the funeral my adult children and I went back to her house and back in time to our old neighbourhood. My children spoke of things seeming smaller seen from the perspective of their current height. For me, it was going back to memories of their early childhood, of the people who lived on the street and, of course of the wonderful woman whose laugh and smile lit up the neighbourhood. She faced a number of hardships, not the least of which was caring for a husband who became chronically ill shortly after their daughter was born. Yet she bustled through life, filling it with books, films, bridge games, travel and most of all friendships. Her enthusiasm for learning, for exploring, for wondering was infectious.

We house memories, closed up in our minds. Some of them transform into changes in ourselves, as we learn and try to live up to the people we wish to emulate. Clairette was one such positive example and one I followed as I learned to journey through life with my children after my husband's untimely death at age 36. She helped me laugh and she made me see that a full life was still possible.