so, it's been a while, yes? hmmm, where to start.well, perhaps in my usual random & rambling way. Interrupted only by a shiny thing. i'll start at the end and meander around. The end: I am in my new house. It is mine alone, with Henry, and it is a sanctuary. i get teary when i walk through it, and have no doubt it was built way back when, just for me to come here now. at this time. it is small. not the Tiny House i once was preparing for. but it's right sized exactly for me. Now to the middle: For 2 years, I had been getting automatic emails with real estate listings that met one or more criteria on my wish list. most of the listings were appropriate only in the fact that they had a roof, and i began to delete delete delete before i even read them. i told the realtor that i wanted a patio home on this specific street. Not sure why i was that specific, but i was certain. but - i wasn't really ready to move, so why bother looking, right? I loved my neighbors so much, that it overshadowed the fact that i was rambling around in a house meant for a large family. late August 2017 - a microburst tore through the area, lifting my 30-year old 70-foot linden tree up out of the ground and pushing it over onto my neighbors house. i won't go through the drama, but she made a very hurtful and loud scene over this - completely out of character for her. completely. at that moment, my heart broke. i was exhausted from spending the summer working full time, plus planning an epic art show for 21 artists. it was too much. and a slow, gentle process began in my heart. a few short weeks later, i spent time in my heart's home in New Hampshire. it was a time to become quiet and settled and laugh and enjoy the company of best friends, old and new. To say goodbye to a place i loved so dearly, for perhaps a few years or perhaps forever. i came home and began to take a hard look at the objects in my home. As an organizer-for-hire, i was surprised at the sheer volume of "stuff" i had - things that i didn't love any longer, but were still being allowed to command space in the house. I met Kevin The Junkman, and began filling his van. Jump Ahead with me...January 2018. one night, in that twilight time just before true sleep comes, i felt a deep peacefulness fill me, and the most clear and certain thought settled into me: "I am ready to release this house to the next owner - a family with children to fill the corners with love. I am ready for my Next." i remember thinking I would like a small house - small like a hug of a house. close by in the same community, so i can walk the trails with Henry and stay within my neighborhood of 20-year friends. one level. fresh and beautiful. the next day i got an automated real estate listing. the next day. with a small hug of a house. 2 bedrooms. one level. huge stone fireplace, which sends my heart directly to New Hampshire do not stop go directly There. and by God it was one street away from where i was living. Henry & I walked past it every day on our walks. One. Street. Away. I couldn't talk - a lump in my throat. i went to see it the next day and signed on the dotted line. fast forward through massive amounts of ugly drama. i am, today, still unpacking boxes. a few at a time. still not allowing in anything i don't love. the best part is that it's a patio home. on that specific street. that i wished for many years ago. i get homesick when i have to leave for work. i am settled in my Self, in a way i haven't felt in over 17 years. i have truly come home, in so many facets of the word. i have a tiny painting by Amy Bartell from her Small House, Big Sky series, and it is exactly and perfectly how i feel. so that's my news. unless i forgot to mention that my new neighbors on my new street are perfectly wonderfully wonderful! and there are now 3 women named Linda on the street - a gang! and there is so so much more to this story and the weavings between the people involved. like - the original owner was a co-worker of mine in my first radio job (just found out today), and the 2nd owner (who i purchased this from) works at the PT office i'll be going to. and quite possibly, the family who is now filling my old address with love - well, that is a tale to be continued soon. i could be here all night, but it's way past my bedtime. Thank you for helping me through the past few months. Thank you for always being there. i treasure your friendships. and your help packing when my leg took a vacation. and for celebrating my Next. heartfelt love to each of you.
