This was the view from the front door of my house. We moved from here three years ago, but I still miss that view. That’s the magnificent Mt Olympus rising above the houses across the street.
I bought the house myself, at the age of twenty-eight. This was long before I met Tom. I lived there for nearly thirty years. After we met and married, it became our house, even though he teases me that I never remembered to put his name on the title until two weeks before we sold it. There were definitely things about the house I loved, and things I hated. But it was mine. An accomplishment I was proud of. My mom thought I was crazy to want to buy a house on my own. She thought it was too much for a single woman to handle. But, through it all, I think she was proud of me as well. Just before she died, she told me she never worried about me in life. She knew I would always be able to take care of myself. That I would find what it takes to get through anything that was thrown my way. Wow. I can’t believe how much confidence she had in me. I only hope I can continue to live up to the expectation.
I have no regrets about selling the house and moving to a property that is much easier to care for. Moving allowes us to do more of what we want to do with our free time. Biking, walking, traveling, spending time with friends and family. But we gave up a bit as well; a fantastic backyard, a hot tub we enjoyed nightly, winter and summer, a very walkable neighborhood, and this view. Life is about trade-offs. This one was a good trade. And, I still think mom would be proud.
What trade-offs have you made and how did it work out. Share in the comments below.
Many happy memories of getting together at that house.