Arrived back in our hometown and parked the VW in the garage for the night. As the house is completely empty we had arranged to stay with the next door neighbor who has lived there since 1972 and been a terrific neighbor and friend to our family over the years. Bud also knows everything that goes on in the little town of Atwater. We walked next door and Bud, who has a set of keys so he can check in on things, handed them over and we walked in for the first time since all the contents of the house had been removed. It was completely empty, something I had never seen in the 35 years I have been going to that house. 
It was a surreal feeling knowing everything was gone and that we were there possibly for the last time ever. We walked around the house looking for anything that needed attention so we could talk to the realtor the next morning. As we wandered the house looking into cupboards and closets, we discovered little reminders of the family that had lived there for 45 years. A yard stick, a little oil can in the furnace closet used to oil the motor every fall, a remnant of one of mom's many arts and crafts hobbies. My tummy would do flip flips just thinking of what a huge change this was going to be in our lives. The end of an era.A man, our dad, had spent many years of his air force career while living here. His daughter, my wife, grew up here. It occured to me how fleeting life is. You live your life enjoying its moments, its highs and lows. Life comes to an end and nearly everything that you have accumulated, co
nsidered dear and valuable, is sold at a garage sale or thrown out with the trash or given to Goodwill. It's gone and can never be relived or reaccumulated. Life, for the rest of us goes on. We are left only with memories, a photo album and maybe a few possessions we kept to remind us of that life that was lived. The center of so much of a life's activity, the most intimate moments in the life of a family are experienced in the home and this home is about to pass on to another family who will live their lives, have their special moments, holidays, and celebrations, 
never thinking a minute about those that came before. Life goes on.
nsidered dear and valuable, is sold at a garage sale or thrown out with the trash or given to Goodwill. It's gone and can never be relived or reaccumulated. Life, for the rest of us goes on. We are left only with memories, a photo album and maybe a few possessions we kept to remind us of that life that was lived. The center of so much of a life's activity, the most intimate moments in the life of a family are experienced in the home and this home is about to pass on to another family who will live their lives, have their special moments, holidays, and celebrations, 
never thinking a minute about those that came before. Life goes on.Our daughter spent many weekends, almost all her major holidays and so many lazy summer days in this house. My w
ife grew up here. I courted my wife and asked her father for her hand in marriage in that house. Our wedding rehearsal dinner was held at the house. I cooked her parent's 25th and 50th wedding anniversary dinners in the kitchen. So many wonderful memories. So many bittersweet memories.
ife grew up here. I courted my wife and asked her father for her hand in marriage in that house. Our wedding rehearsal dinner was held at the house. I cooked her parent's 25th and 50th wedding anniversary dinners in the kitchen. So many wonderful memories. So many bittersweet memories.Bud's wife had passed away a few years ago and so he lives alone now. It was nice to spend the evening catching up with him and getting to know his super dog--Annie. She is a beautiful 2 year old blonde Lab with lots of energy. We went out to dinner at Rizonelli's, a local Italian joint we've been to so many times for their awesome hot salami sandwiches. Then back to Bud's place and more visiting before bed.
This morning Bud fixed us breakfast and then we wandered over to the house to wait for the realtor and to get started cleaning. Andy, our realtor, arrived about 9:30 and we walked through the house and discussed options for fixing certain things that might improve the chances of selling the house. We decided on new carpet in a couple of rooms and to expose the beautiful hardwood floors in the original part of the house--the living room and bedrooms. We also picked out a new vinyl floor for the kitchen. The house will be painted inside and completely cleaned inside and out. Funny, we will probably never see the house when it is finished. Maybe that is good since I will always remember it the way it was. And it gives 
the house and the lucky family who buys it a new start. So much was taken off our hands that we found ourselves with nothing much more to do except clean out the remaining belongings of our family, place them in trash bags and fill up 2 garbage bins.
the house and the lucky family who buys it a new start. So much was taken off our hands that we found ourselves with nothing much more to do except clean out the remaining belongings of our family, place them in trash bags and fill up 2 garbage bins. So without any further reason to stay, we rearranged our schedule to head home early. Tomorrow, after one last bit of work on the house, one last goodbye to Bud and Annie, we will load up the VW and begin the drive back towards our home. We leave sadly but our home is in Bellingham now. We love it and all our friends. But a part of our hearts will always remain here in little Atwater.
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