Who says you can't go home? MLSLI does. (VERY long)

I think this post could feasibly go on multiple boards (home, bereavement, FHF) but rather than cross post ad nauseum, I 'll put it here.

It's official. My family home, the one my parents bought in 1964 on the GI bill is offically listed and on the market. They moved in on Thanksgiving with my 3 older siblings and ate on top of cardboard boxes thus setting the tone for how grateful/thankful we have always been for having a roof over our heads and never having to worry about where our next meal would come from or anything else for that matter. We were fortunate. We ARE fortunate.We are blessed.

The house is basically a shell now. Since Mom's passing in May, the family banned together to put the house in condition to sell. Most of the work had been done in my last month of pregnancy and while both Abby and I had been in the hospital so I was not able to do and see the work there. I returned there last week to pick up some things and found myself in one of my old bedrooms with tears rolling down my face because it was so stark and empty.

We always knew that Mom never would have left this house before she passed. At one point we thought that she would need the services of an assisted living complex, but that she would go kicking and screaming. I am rather grateful, on a big level, that she did not live to see her home (where she raised 4 children and stayed married for 49 years) devoid of the memories that she and my father made with each other.

It is our hope, as our parents' children, that a loving and hard-working family settle in this amazing place and make their own memories. My father had lived to provide for us and to maintain his castle. This was a nucleus - a center of family - for 44 years. Any family would be lucky to live there.

I shall never be able to drive up that block again once we hand over the keys. I am sad that Abby will not have run through the sprinklers on the front lawn the way her cousins did. I hope that some day, that we can have our own home for her to frolick and feel safe.

Thanks for reading.

Re: Who says you can't go home? MLSLI does. (VERY long)

I can't even imagine how difficult this must be for you!

Re: Who says you can't go home? MLSLI does. (VERY long)

You will make those same memories for your children...

Re: Who says you can't go home? MLSLI does. (VERY long)

Re: Who says you can't go home? MLSLI does. (VERY long)

This was the home of a real matriarch and patriarch. Now I have become my own matriarch. Mom and Dad left big shoes to fill.

Re: Who says you can't go home? MLSLI does. (VERY long)

Awww Leslie having met your mom I just wanted to say again what a great lady she was!

I am here for you and can somewhat relate as we clean out my Grandma's home. Even though that wasn't where my bed was I still considered it my second home. It hurts

Re: Who says you can't go home? MLSLI does. (VERY long)

Re: Who says you can't go home? MLSLI does. (VERY long)

Re: Who says you can't go home? MLSLI does. (VERY long)

Re: Who says you can't go home? MLSLI does. (VERY long)

Re: Who says you can't go home? MLSLI does. (VERY long)

I know kind of how you feel- while I still have my Dad- my life is so different- and not the way I thought it would be at this point

I drove past my old house- the new people changed everything- it's gone, it's now a chessy McMansion

not the classical colonial I grew up in

in a way- that makes it easier for me

you will get thru this- and make new memories with Abby

Re: Who says you can't go home? MLSLI does. (VERY long)

Re: Who says you can't go home? MLSLI does. (VERY long)

Posted by Beth1210



I know kind of how you feel- while I still have my Dad- my life is so different- and not the way I thought it would be at this point

I drove past my old house- the new people changed everything- it's gone, it's now a chessy McMansion

not the classical colonial I grew up in

in a way- that makes it easier for me

you will get thru this- and make new memories with Abby

Message edited 10/5/2008 11:54:49 AM.

Re: Who says you can't go home? MLSLI does. (VERY long)

Re: Who says you can't go home? MLSLI does. (VERY long)

Posted by Goldi0218

Posted by Beth1210



I know kind of how you feel- while I still have my Dad- my life is so different- and not the way I thought it would be at this point

I drove past my old house- the new people changed everything- it's gone, it's now a chessy McMansion

not the classical colonial I grew up in

in a way- that makes it easier for me

you will get thru this- and make new memories with Abby

I'd be happy with a McShoebox!!!

I wish we could give her a home like I had. It's a large 5 bedroom split. I'd be pleased with a small 3 bedroom cape as long as it had a basement where I could put all of my crap.

Re: Who says you can't go home? MLSLI does. (VERY long)

Re: Who says you can't go home? MLSLI does. (VERY long)

Many hugs to you

Re: Who says you can't go home? MLSLI does. (VERY long)

Re: Who says you can't go home? MLSLI does. (VERY long)

i cried when i read your post because of what i'm going through with my house.

but it also helped me to see that a home and a family is more than four walls.

thank you.

and as others have posted. your beautiful daughter will have millions of sweet memories of her loving family, no matter where those memories are made.


to you

Re: Who says you can't go home? MLSLI does. (VERY long)

Re: Who says you can't go home? MLSLI does. (VERY long)

Posted by beautyq115

Posted by Goldi0218

Posted by Beth1210



I know kind of how you feel- while I still have my Dad- my life is so different- and not the way I thought it would be at this point

I drove past my old house- the new people changed everything- it's gone, it's now a chessy McMansion

not the classical colonial I grew up in

in a way- that makes it easier for me

you will get thru this- and make new memories with Abby

I'd be happy with a McShoebox!!!

I wish we could give her a home like I had. It's a large 5 bedroom split. I'd be pleased with a small 3 bedroom cape as long as it had a basement where I could put all of my crap.

There is a nice 4 bed cape across the street from me with a basement...as you know pretty close to All American

Re: Who says you can't go home? MLSLI does. (VERY long)

My parents sold their home in 1994. As I vacuumed and swept the house for the last time, I cried.

My parents couldn't afford it anymore. I wish I could have bought it then, but I wasn't in the position to do so.

Very emotional. Now, my mom wants to drive back to see it every now and then and some of her friends still live on the block and tell her how they've made changes that stink.

Re: Who says you can't go home? MLSLI does. (VERY long)

In a weird way, I'd rather see it torn down than have someone else live there. Then it wouldn't feel like someone else living in MY house.

Re: Who says you can't go home? MLSLI does. (VERY long)

Re: Who says you can't go home? MLSLI does. (VERY long)

Leslie I can only imagine how hard that was for you. When we had to pack up my grandparents house it was very difficult for my dad.

That HOME had been in his family since 1929. My great grandmother secretly saved for that house and bought it WITHOUT my great grandfather knowing it. Quite a feat at that time.

It hurts to think about closing that chapter of your life, but on the other hand this just means you're starting a new one. This one will be filled with happy memories made with your beautiful daughter Abby.

I'm sure your parents are looking down upon you and your siblings smiling, thinking of all the fond memories made in that home and the thought of looking forward to watching the new ones you will make in your own home.