Last month, a "For Sale" sign appeared in the front yard of one of our next door neighbors.
When we moved into our house, this couplehad already lived in their house for many years. At the time we moved in, their youngest son (I think) was finishing up high school. The man was a retired telephone lineman and his wife was a retired librarian.
They were the best neighbors you could have had.
Both died, several years ago, from dementia and other old age ailments. More recently, I blogged about the current owner, their youngest son, "C",
The family had wanted to keep the house but "C" was moving out of state to take a new job, and had put it on the market this past fall.
On November 11, I saw several members of the family going in and out of the house. I walked over and spoke to one of the original couple's in laws, and a little later, "C". I had known about C's difficulties in trying to rent the house. Let's just say the last tenant, especially, caused them major problems, One thing led to another. For part of last year and this year, some relatives were able to move in temporarily. But finally, C made the decision to sell
"C" told me the house had been sold and the closing would be in the near future.
I have so many memories connected to the original couple. And, my son had bonded with "C". C taught my son so much, including skills coming in handy as my son has become a homeowner.
This Thanksgiving will be bittersweet. I've probably seen C and others of his family for the last time. His family has been in my life, in some way, for almost 40 years.
But nothing is as constant as change.
I just hope the people who buy the house are good people, too.
Yes, it does sound bittersweet. I hope you get a new neighbors who you will like.
ReplyDeleteAlways sad to lose a long-term connection... Fingers crossed that the new neighbours will be good people. Wishing you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteThat's tough, I'm sorry. I sure hope you will get some nice new neighbors to create new memories with.
ReplyDelete...hopefully the owners can start making new memories in the house.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you're losing your neighbors. May your next neighbors be just as wonderful. And you can be the elders who help them settle in.
ReplyDeleteIt's always hard to lose great people, especially great neighbors. Hope your future neighbors are keepers.
ReplyDeleteIt's always sad to lose good neighbors, but here's hoping the new neighbors will be worthy successors.
ReplyDeleteHaving good neighbours is so important and change is always worrying.
ReplyDeleteWow Alana, I can so relate!! I'm selling my house right now and so much of what you said resonated. I've had this house 23 years and about to leave Austin, a city I've lived in for the last 34 years. I know that I will mourn my house because over the years I've turned it into everything I ever wanted in a house --except more space. You mentioned the problems with C renting the house: I can totally relate to that. Right now here in Texas the home-selling market is HORRIBLE - a recent report came out listing the 5 states that are currently in a home-sale slump and Texas tops the list. Sigh. My house has been on the market since June! Every real estate agent who comes through tells me if it were 2-3 years ago my house would've been sold in days. And I remember when the market was that hot and frankly, that's what I was expecting when I put it on the market. I've been thinking and planning on selling and moving for the last few years and would've been so much better off had I pulled the trigger back then but I had to have some surgeries and decided to stay here where I knew I had good doctors and surgeons. So it's been a hard pill to swallow to be selling in a buyers market... Home prices dropping steadily and I'm so bitter about it! My timing always sucks!
ReplyDeleteAnd I considered just up and leaving and renting it out but being a landlord 1500 miles away isn't exactly something I desire to be. I've heard the horror stories from friends who have rented their homes out and how much money it cost them after tenants left, doing outrageous damage (my one friend had a tenant who took down an ENTIRE WALL!!!). So it's all been very frustrating. But at this moment, my house is under contract as of this past Sunday. So hopefully it will be a done deal soon (however, I ain't counting the money until it's in the bank!)
I also can relate to losing great neighbors. For the longest time here I had an amazing couple living next door and we'd talk everyday at the fence when I had to dogs out. They were an older couple and we became so close, such good friends. Sadly, the same thing happened: they developed health issues and moved away to be closer to their kids in their senior years; Billy passed, Michele has dementia and is in a nursing home. It's heartbreaking what time and aging does, isn't it? Their house sat empty for a long time but now their daughter and her family have moved into it and are great neighbors too, thankfully.
So I totally relate to your 'bittersweet Thanksgiving' -- Right there with ya Girl! Have a wonderful and Happy Thanksgiving Alana. <3