Packing Up 60 Years

This is the second time in my life that I have helped to empty a house of possessions that had been accumulating for approximately sixty years. (Not the house for 60 years, but the possessions for 60 years.) The first one was my parents house and now this one was Steve's parents house. His mother has decided that the house should be sold so she and her children and their spouses got together on Saturday to sort through everything that was her and Dad's belongings. Mom kept a few things for her rooms at her daughters' houses (for the near future she is alternating staying with each of them). The children and spouses chose the things they wanted. The grandchildren weren't there but each told their parents one item that they would appreciate having as a keepsake and for the most part were able to get their first choices. The family is planning another day when grandchildren and great-grandchildren can physically come and see what is there and they can take as many treasures as they would like. Probably most of what is left after that will be offered to a reuzit shop and maybe some refugee families. One way or another, everything will disappear. Just like that, what took sixty some years to accumulate will be gone in a matter of weeks. In some ways this is sad but I have learned through the years, that whenever there is an ending there is also a new beginning. It is hard to think that we will never again pull into the driveway of the house on Troy Drive to visit Steve's parents as we did our entire married life. However, someone will buy that house and be so excited for the new beginning that it gives to them. For those people, I am happy. It is a new beginning and adjustment for all of us, especially Mom, but can we manage to face it with some excitement? I hope so.

It was interesting to see the choices that the children and grandchildren made of things they wanted from what was once Mom and Dad's.

Here is our pickup truck laden with our goodies. As you can see, we got a riding mower and desk among some other things.  (And we didn't think we needed anything!)

Our children's picks were even more interesting. There were some bigger items to choose from but all four of my children decided to go with smaller things for their first choice.

Shawn chose this train for Awstin who loves trains.

Jay chose a tractor and loader that Mark liked to play with when he visited Great-Grandpa and Great-Grandma.

Josh chose this huge metal fork and spoon that Mom and Dad had hanging on their wall for as long as Josh can remember.

And Megan chose this: See video below for what it does.

In case you can't understand it, it says, "quack, quack, you missed me!" 

I'm sure our children will probably choose a few other items when they walk through the house, but these are the things they chose first.

Along with the hard work of going through everything, we had some fun. Any idea who this man is looking in the closet with Mom?

Yup, it is Steve. Here he is with the wig still on and this time he added one of Dad's coats to his costume.

And so we begin a new journey. We are left with plenty of memories and while looking back is fine and good, it is also important to look forward and to embrace the new beginning that is here for all of us.

I'm looking forward to the future and feeling grateful for the past ~ Mike Rowe