It was a Thursday morning, just like any other. I got up, grabbed a cup of coffee, took it back to my bedroom, turned on the news and scrolled through my phone like any other morning. At 6:00 am I hopped in the shower, hoping I’d get out the door a bit earlier so I could get to the our teacher’s union meeting which was scheduled at school before class started. I walked down the hall, grabbed my lunch, toasted a bagel and off I went. Little did I know, that morning, November 8th, 2018 would be the last time I’d be surrounded by your loving walls.

You welcomed us about 18 years ago, after moving from a smaller home in town. I remember thinking you were so much more luxurious home—you had central heat and air instead of a wall heater. You had a large, open kitchen instead of a small galley kitchen. You even had two separate rooms—one for family to gather—the other for the adults to mingle. Well, the adult mingling didn’t happen as often, but the family gatherings were abundant. Our little family had about 6480 dinners often while the television was showing some funny sitcom–a handful of other celebrations happened in the dining room and outside on the patio. Birthdays were shared—by my estimates you hosted about 72 of them. You even hosted a Thanksgiving celebration where my entire family came—long before things got complicated. You even hosted two high school graduation parties. Special events which make me smile.

I loved your beautiful gas fireplace insert where I spent many nights healing from my broken ankle last December. I’ll miss the days of sitting on the sofa, feeling the warmth of your beautiful fire.

My favorite memories come from our beautiful Christmas celebrations. The fireplace mantle which our stockings hung, the tree which stood tall on display in the front window—it all looked so spectacularly gorgeous. I always loved how your bright lights which hung from the roof’s edge, would shine during the Christmas holiday. You knew just how to bring Christmas cheer to our family. For that I thank you.

I’m also thankful for all the baths in the tub…a nightly ritual. Many books were read, while I soaked my often weary bones. Many tears were shed while soaking. Many worries were released. Those nights will be missed.

Our family will forever be thankful for keeping us safe each night. Many happy nights, some sad nights, but most importantly many restful nights were spent in your bedrooms. Those nights will no longer happen. Sadness. Tears. Restlessness. Anxiousness. All used to be comforted by you. No longer.

I will forever be grateful to you sweet home for housing our family BBQs on your patio. And I’m especially thankful how your fences took such care of our beloved Akitas—Kuma, Bella, Hopey and Odin. They played, they healed, they ate and they thrived in your yard. Thank you.

Our kitty River also loved stalking the critters outside your yard at night. A time or two she’d climb up your old oak trees, getting stuck then needing rescue. All of our furbabies were thankful for the space to roam and explore.

I’m heartbroken that I won’t be able to sit and drink coffee, or wine from our patio with my friend any longer. The flowers, birdhouses and hummingbird feeders will forever be missed.

Your occasional snowy winters, beautiful spring mornings, chilly fall evenings will just be distant memories. Your gorgeous camellias are no longer—the days of cutting one of your red or pink flowers which had always reminded me of my mom will no longer be. For that I’m sad.

What I’m especially thankful for is how comforting you were to me during my grieving days and subsequent years following the deaths of both my parents. You helped me heal—your four walls brought extreme comfort to me. You listened to my tears—my fears—my aching heart.

I bid you farewell my sweet home. The beautiful sunsets and sunrises viewed from your windows, will no longer be. My heart is broken, but I’ll remember our time together forever. Love to you always, me💕