Moving

Since my mother's passing, we are again facing some major changes... each bringing their own set of worries and pain you thought you already knew. My Dad is selling the house we grew up in. Thirty beautiful, stressful, wonderful, bittersweet years spent in that home. Christmas, Halloween, Easter- you name the holiday, my mom decorated the house for it. She always saw the light in pretty much anything- making things seem all the more special and memorable. All the things she held dear are now just that- things. There is almost too much- too much to take and try to hold on too with this major change. I've packed up photos, books, toys, knick knacks, clothes- anything I can grasp the past with; anything I can show my children to remind them of their precious Grandmother, to share stories of my beloved Mother and of a time and a place that will now be forever gone.... 

If I had my life to live over   -by: - Erma Bombeck  “I would have talked less and listened more.  I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.  I would have eaten the popcorn in the "good" living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.  I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather rambling about his youth.  I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.  I would have burned the pink candle sculped like a rose before it melted in storage.  I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.  I would have cried and laughed less while watching television, and more while watching life.  I would have gone to bed when I was sick, instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.  I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.  Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment, realizing that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.  When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."  There would have been more "I love you's" and more "I'm sorry's"  . . . but mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute . . . look at it and really see it . . . and never give it back.”