The meaning of home is an intensely personal sentiment we carry in our hearts. Most of us are more connected to our space than we realize. I must confess I deeply loved our home, but it was a slow burn. As time went by I loved her a little more each year. We recently moved from our beloved c.1907 home to a smaller space. It’s hard to believe how quickly 26 years went by.
Four Seasons of Fun
Thinking back to 1998, Noreen and I were bursting out of our little townhouse in Chicago. It’s funny to look back at those simpler times. When we bought the house we thought we could live there forever, but that was 1987, fast forward eleven years later, reality finally set in. We had to face facts, we were no longer a young couple with an infant. Three kids and two dogs later, we knew we had to move to the suburbs, that dreaded place, the last resort for young people. We were city people after all and me being a Chicago Interior Designer, ha!
Finding Sanctuary In Nature
The house we bought had good bones, but that’s about it. People with no imagination would call it a tear down, quite neglected by the sellers, she was in horrendous condition, but we saw the potential. Over the years there were many projects: new pipes, electrical service, rebuilding the entire roof structure to prevent a possible collapse (long story for another day), multiple renovations as well as massive facelifts to the landscaping and garden. In retrospect, I can’t imagine living anywhere else during Covid. Our cozy home was our shelter from the chaos during a frightening pandemic—especially in 2020. Our new reality was insane, life was filled with conflicting news reports, general uncertainty about what was happening, not to mention where to buy cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer and toilet paper!
Change is healthy and inevitable—I often say nothing is forever except eternity; sadly it was time to move for many reasons. Leaving the familiar comfort of our cherished family home filled with memories was bittersweet. The world, our lives and the way we live changed over the years, especially the last five years. Now the tables had turned, we simply had too much space for two people and our beloved rescue dog Halle. Having lots of space is wonderful when the girls visit a few times each year, but on a regular basis it was unsustainable.
Our New Digs
The actual move itself wasn’t easy, but it became bearable once our two older girls arrived, they were here for two weeks. Lauren and Kathleen made the process go smoother for us. Rachel, (the baby) as I still call her, arrived a few weeks later, her help was invaluable as well. The three girls actually made moving more fun than the usual chore it can be. Looking back now, I can’t even imagine just the two of us with the movers. The best part was coming together each night after opening boxes and organizing. We would relax, eat dinner, watch home movies and reminisce. After a few weeks, all good things came to an end with life beckoning them back to their lives in other states.
We’ve been in our new place almost six months, it takes time to get settled. I always tell clients it takes about six months before you feel somewhat settled, truth be told it’s a year before you start to feel at home so to speak. Things are much better, we’re still rearranging our artwork, possessions, and life in our new home. Once you leave the familiar, it’s easy to pine for what you left behind. Perhaps I’m overly sentimental, I suppose I am. At this point I’m not focusing on the past—I’m looking forward, watching the journey unfold to see where it takes us. This will be our first Thanksgiving here. We look forward to spending it with the kids in our new home.
Home, there’s no place like home, whether you live alone or with people you love. We all need shelter, perhaps it’s a house, small apartment or freight train car converted to housing. Let us find refuge and comfort in our homes no matter where we live. Saying goodbye was harder than I expected, but the beautiful memories will remain forever. I hope you have a treasured space filled with many happy memories. And if you don’t, let me know, we’re here to help any way we can.
Enjoy the journey-
~Ken
PS I wrote this blog about moving a few years ago. You might enjoy it if you’re contemplating a move in the future.
Your Next Chapter
A love song for you to enjoy.
