Today we put our house on the market. It has been a busy few months as we began the process of downsizing preparing to move from a nine-room house to something much smaller.
My experience in this process of deciding what to keep and what to sell, give away or throw out has been an interesting one. Döstädning – Death Cleaning
At times I have felt relief as I began to see the freedom I would have when I did not have to spend so much time cleaning and dusting and moving “stuff” around. Relief as I look forward to the day my washer and dryer is on the same living level and I do not have to climb up and downstairs to do the laundry. (Or, in my case, my dear husband does not have to do that.)
Other times I have felt some sorrow as I parted with items I have enjoyed over the years. But how many Isabel Blooms can one house have? (For my readers who are not familiar with Isabel Bloom, check out their website at isbloom.com
Perhaps the thing I will miss the most is my garden. This garden was built by my husband with love for me. The Garden that Love Built
It has been so much fun to watch this garden grow from a couple of trees and a few hostas plants until now the entire back yard is one beautiful garden.
Downsizing and moving to a smaller place was what we originally had planned. However, in the middle of these plans our youngest daughter who lives with her family nearby announced they are moving to another state for a job opportunity for her.
Although we have six children (one is deceased), 20 grandchildren (three are deceased) and our ninth great grandchild is on his way, our children are scattered all over the states. Missouri, West Virginia, Illinois, South Carolina and Michigan. This daughter was the only child near us. So – moving to a smaller place suddenly has taken on a harder decision.
Where do we go? At our age we do not want to live without any family nearby. Which child gets the blessing (or the curse) of having us live close by? ♥
As we begin the process of deciding exactly where we will call home it is a stressful time hoping to find a place we will really love. But it is also an exciting time as we look forward to a new home and making new friends.
I remember the words found in Proverbs 3:5-6:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.
I will trust you Lord!
Grandma's Ramblings 
Lots of mixed emotions in your future, but everything will work out. Think most about how you like to spend your time. Basing your move on living close to a child may or may not work out. Our children have such busy lives that you’ll have lots of time on your own. Where & how do you want to spend it? Rural/city? Outdoors, or in museums or theaters? If you enjoy doing things and other people an active senior center may be vital. Public transportation may be important as you enjoy driving less….and the amount of traffic may be a consideration. We chose rural because we knew we would not enjoy battling confusing traffic as we age. So many fun things to think about, so many open opportunities!
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Good advice. Thanks!
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I’ll tell you about trees.
When we bought the place, the little maple in the grotto barely topped twenty feet, with a strong but single trunk. Now (34 years hence) the tree is a mighty maple soaring fifty feet in the air. Its base is made of not one, two or three, but six massive trunks. It would take three people to stretch arms around it. Many times I sat on the bench beneath and gazed upon it. With babies that are now 13 and 15 and 19 years old. Many times my belated Chuy has impatiently called me to return to the walk, to tear myself away from that tree.
Thirty years ago, I planted a dozen little sticks, thick as my finger and long as my arm.
Now, the remaining five cottonwoods tower seventy feet over the lawn.
To climb a tree one planted as a tiny stick, what a thrill.
Out front there are massive, ancient sugar maples. These trees will outlive me. I think of the Lowes (pronounced with an “ow”, like loud) who built my house in 1906. How they must have picked out these little maple saplings. Maybe single trunks that barely topped twenty feet when they moved in.
I have loved and cared for the Lowe’s maples, my cottonwoods, the “little” maple in the grotto.
I have enjoyed their shade, their shape, the way they sway in the wind. I’ve caught leaves and “helicopters” falling from them with children and grandchildren. Taken a thousand photographs of birds within, or their beautiful autumn foliage.
I feel a responsibility to care for Lowe’s trees, as well as my own.
It brings me solace to know they will remain when I am gone.
These trees I’ve planted or cared for will bring all these joys to the next person that has the opportunity to behold them. A gift across generations, from Lowe’s, to mine, to the next.
Our parting will be a brief sorrow in comparison to the many hours and days of joy they have brought me. And they remain to bring joy to others.
Here’s hoping you can view your beautiful garden in the same way.
Best of fortune to you both, in this slightly-scary but exhilarating time.
Paz
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how neat to read your story on the trees. And yes I hope whoever buys our house will enjoy the garden and trees for years to come. Thanks for sharing.
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Just sold our house of 22 years and also downsized so I know exactly the gamut of emotions you are enduring. In my case, only two months after the sale was finalized, I feel so good about our small house and the easy upkeep. The garden is next up. Yours is beautiful and I can see why you’ll miss it.
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Good to hear you are feeling good about the move. Encouraging to me.
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I love your garden pics – hostas are some of my favourite plants. I can relate to your plan to move, too, we’re looking to relocate but it’s hard sorting through 20 years of life in one overfilled house.
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Good luck with your move.
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Thanks, we’ve been talking about it for a year! I’m ready for action 🙂
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Reblogged this on Grandma's Ramblings and commented:
It has been almost four years since we put our house on the market and made a decision where to move. Michigan has become our new home. It was a little scary moving to a new state where the only people we would know was our daughter and her family. But it was a good decision. We love our new home, our new state. However, I still do miss my garden. While we have flowers in our new home, our yard is much, much smaller and the opportunity for lots of flowers is limited. Still, I enjoy what I do have here and thank God for all the pictures I have to remember my garden.
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