Deirde loved reading your beautiful essay. We thought the same of our first home and were there for thirteen years before we moved across the country. Then in 2016 we moved into our new home. We talk about whether we will move again or will this be it. The first move I felt much of what you write though I was ready to let go. So excited for you on your new home and adventure 💗
Good heavens, I didn't live there but I will look back on the memories of watching my daughter raise her babies, create beautiful memories of family gatherings, lots of laughter, Deidre cooking up a storm(usually with kids helping) and of course Pablo on the couch with eyes only for Deidre. I also will miss this place and will cherish the memories and look forward to making more in the new house. Love you all.
I remember when I was a young adult and a young woman moved into our Indiana college town to pursue her MDiv, knowing that when she finished, she would move back to California. She became a member of a church and immediately started helping in a Sunday School class. I was befuddled. She would only be here for 2-3 years. Why not wait to put down these roots until she was home? One day, I asked her. Her reply has stayed with me all these 20 years later. She said, “You know, Sarah, that none of this is our forever home. If I wait to serve until I am “home,” I’ll have to wait until I’m dead.”
You are a beautiful, thoughtful writer, Deidre. I can’t wait to read your book!
What a gift to be able to invest in a place, even if you didn’t realize you were doing it at the time. I’ve been thinking about planting some things this fall, but we’ve always lived in apartments, and in the back of my mind I always wonder if it’s worth it.
I would have to say—yes! This early summer, I knew we’d moving this month. I wasn’t planning to plant my usual annual flowers because I knew we wouldn’t be here long to enjoy them. But one day, when I was grieving the death of our dog, I did anyway. And I am so glad I did—because I found so much joy in them each day that we WERE here.
I didn’t take my peonies three years ago, and I wish I had. This year my new plant yielded one beautiful pink bloom. I wrote my way through the transition from a home of 22 years across several states to a very different life. Kate Bowler, in her book “Joyful Anyway”, told a lovely story about blessing her old home before she moved. I cried in nearly every room, beside my favorite trees, and when i said goodbye to the gigantic hydrangea bushes we’d planted. Your entire being is letting go and grieving. But a wise friend reminded me that anytime I missed rhe old place, I could simply close my eyes and wall through it in my mind. I still do. Sending hugs, Deidre. 😘
Let the tears fall, friend! We lived in our first home for 10 years… 8 longer than we had intended. So special. I can’t wait to see those peonies BLOOM in their next territory!
We also bought a home in that year, which we since sold, and I still cry about it. I think it’s so good to write about this type of loss. Homes are so important. I never grew peonies there, even though they are my favourite flower. I would definitely be taking them with me too. 🌷
You are an amazing storyteller! I love how you shared so much, but done so with the little details. Peonies-yes!
I moved the peony from our starter home to our forever home 14 years ago. It never bloomed at our starter home, which had my grandparents’. Grandpa ran over it with the lawn mower so many times, but Grandma kept caring for it.
We got the first blossoms ever, after one year in our new home, on my daughter’s birthday.
Deirde loved reading your beautiful essay. We thought the same of our first home and were there for thirteen years before we moved across the country. Then in 2016 we moved into our new home. We talk about whether we will move again or will this be it. The first move I felt much of what you write though I was ready to let go. So excited for you on your new home and adventure 💗
Good heavens, I didn't live there but I will look back on the memories of watching my daughter raise her babies, create beautiful memories of family gatherings, lots of laughter, Deidre cooking up a storm(usually with kids helping) and of course Pablo on the couch with eyes only for Deidre. I also will miss this place and will cherish the memories and look forward to making more in the new house. Love you all.
Lovely. Houses are never empty of the dreams we leave behind.
I remember when I was a young adult and a young woman moved into our Indiana college town to pursue her MDiv, knowing that when she finished, she would move back to California. She became a member of a church and immediately started helping in a Sunday School class. I was befuddled. She would only be here for 2-3 years. Why not wait to put down these roots until she was home? One day, I asked her. Her reply has stayed with me all these 20 years later. She said, “You know, Sarah, that none of this is our forever home. If I wait to serve until I am “home,” I’ll have to wait until I’m dead.”
You are a beautiful, thoughtful writer, Deidre. I can’t wait to read your book!
What a gift to be able to invest in a place, even if you didn’t realize you were doing it at the time. I’ve been thinking about planting some things this fall, but we’ve always lived in apartments, and in the back of my mind I always wonder if it’s worth it.
I would have to say—yes! This early summer, I knew we’d moving this month. I wasn’t planning to plant my usual annual flowers because I knew we wouldn’t be here long to enjoy them. But one day, when I was grieving the death of our dog, I did anyway. And I am so glad I did—because I found so much joy in them each day that we WERE here.
This is so beautiful. Holding the grief and the joy with you step into all that is ahead.
I didn’t take my peonies three years ago, and I wish I had. This year my new plant yielded one beautiful pink bloom. I wrote my way through the transition from a home of 22 years across several states to a very different life. Kate Bowler, in her book “Joyful Anyway”, told a lovely story about blessing her old home before she moved. I cried in nearly every room, beside my favorite trees, and when i said goodbye to the gigantic hydrangea bushes we’d planted. Your entire being is letting go and grieving. But a wise friend reminded me that anytime I missed rhe old place, I could simply close my eyes and wall through it in my mind. I still do. Sending hugs, Deidre. 😘
Oh Deidre, this was beautiful!! What a momentous transition, and yes, the peonies must come!!
Let the tears fall, friend! We lived in our first home for 10 years… 8 longer than we had intended. So special. I can’t wait to see those peonies BLOOM in their next territory!
Yes-by all means, take the peonies.
What a beautiful tribute to the decade of LIFE in your home and the mixed feelings of transition. Also, that picture of you 😍✨
How bittersweet 💛 beautifully written Deidre, many blessings on this new chapter!
We also bought a home in that year, which we since sold, and I still cry about it. I think it’s so good to write about this type of loss. Homes are so important. I never grew peonies there, even though they are my favourite flower. I would definitely be taking them with me too. 🌷
I loved the vignette style! and genuinely almost shed a tear while reading this too :)
I love the realness. I love that you didn’t end it in a bow, because that’s not what life is. Thank you for sharing authentically with us.
You are an amazing storyteller! I love how you shared so much, but done so with the little details. Peonies-yes!
I moved the peony from our starter home to our forever home 14 years ago. It never bloomed at our starter home, which had my grandparents’. Grandpa ran over it with the lawn mower so many times, but Grandma kept caring for it.
We got the first blossoms ever, after one year in our new home, on my daughter’s birthday.
😭😭