Sacramento, California

September 20, 2018

I thought it would be sadder, this last time inside the house when I've lived for more than 30 years. After all, it's the place I brought home all of my babies, where we had birthday parties, hosted holiday gatherings, swam all summer and huddled by the fireplace on many a winter night. It's been a place filled with many happy times and, of course, some very sad moments. But it's all part of the fabric of our family. Of course, the place has felt different the past few years as the kids and I have all moved away to new homes and most of us to new cities. And after the animals were no longer there, it felt especially empty each time I walked in the door. Most of my recent visits have been for chores -- stopping by for a few hours to clean, pick up the mail, do yardwork and make repairs. I will miss sharing Christmas morning with the kids on the floor of the living room and many of my neighbors, but maybe not much else. Looking back, I probably kept the house a bit too long, but wanted to be 100% sure I was ready to let go. And I am. Lakeshore farewell