Today, my parents are moving to a new house. Today, our home becomes someone else’s home. It’s hard to imagine another family living at 115 Pleasant Creek, but I know my parents have been waiting for this day for a very long time!

As happy as I am for my parents (hey! they got the dream – a little red brick Victorian in a cute small town!) I will miss that house so much.

I remember talking to my grandmother (whose room was downstairs) through the vent that connected our two rooms. We would have secret conversations when I couldn’t sleep.

I remember all the fantastic BBQed meals we enjoyed on the back porch. (Maybe that’s why Erick and I chose a house with a similarly amazing back porch.)

I’ll remember being surrounded by autumn colours, no matter where you looked. The trees were at their most beautiful in the fall. I hope that the new owners will take time to enjoy them.

I remember how beautiful our Christmas tree always looks in the giant, open living room. The light reflected off the large front window and the effect was pure magic.

I remember my grandmother and me cutting a hole in the carpet downstairs to have a place to play marbles, then covering it up with an area rug. It took my parents fifteen years (and a flooded basement) to find out about that one!

I remember my 21st birthday party, when parents went all-out and hired a jazz combo to perform! I danced in the living room with my (other) grandmother, and it was the first time she truly enjoyed herself since my grandfather had died.

Mostly, I remember how I felt in that house: safe, loved, happy. It was a house where people gathered and lingered over good food and great conversation. It was a house where last-minute guests were welcomed and old friends knew that they should help themselves to whatever was in the fridge.

And I remember music. Always so much music.

I worry that you might think I feel resentful or hurt that my parents have sold my childhood home. Not so. I know how excited they are to begin this next phase of their lives together, and I am so relieved that they will not have that huge house to worry about all winter. I can’t wait for the next “generation” of parties and gatherings and family events in the new house!

After all, “home” isn’t defined by the physical space or location. “Home” is wherever you’re with the people you love.

*****

Here’s where I link up each week:

Mondays: Merry Monday, Monday Funday, Inspire Me Monday, Show & Tell, Lou Lou Girls

Tuesdays: Tell ’em Tuesday, Two Uses Tuesday, Tutorials & Tips, Tuesdays with a Twist, Hit Me with Your Best Shot, Tickle My Tastebuds, Treasure Box Tuesday, Tasty Tuesdays

Wednesdays: Pin Worthy Wednesdays, Work it Wednesday, Wow Us Wednesday, Wake Up Wednesday, Wordless Wednesday, Whimsy Wednesday, Welcome Home Wednesdays

Thursdays: Think and Make Thursday, Handmade Hangout, Weekend Re-Treat, Favourite Things, Artsy Fartsy Link Party, What to Do Weekends, Friday Features (Thursday)

Friday: Fiesta Friday, Feathered Nest, Link Party Palooza, Friday Favourites

Saturday: Share it One More Time

Sunday: Nifty Thrifty Sunday, Silver Pennies, Sundays at Home, That DIY Party, Frugal Crafty Blog Hop, Share the Wealth Sunday, Food Stars

Monthly/Recurring: Great Blog Train, Sunday Brunch, Before and After