SOL: moving on

Sprawling ranch in a beautiful established neighborhood. Sellers are the original owners and have taken price in maintaining this home that was custom built with many extras. The house was built with pre-stressed concrete so the lower level is a storm shelter. Lots of storage space. All brick home features lots of windows to view the wooded lot with creek. The lower level has a large family room complete with wood burning fireplace and kitchenette, and view out windows to large decorative patio. Lower level also features 15.5x20 gym, 16x10 shop and garage. Upper level features screened in porch, main floor family room and 12x10 study. Located in one of the nicest lots in town. Close to schools, city park and city pool. Art Deco decor. Blueprint shows over 3000 sq ft on main floor. 

I found this online, a realtor's description of a house for sale. It's an amazing place, really. Custom built in the '60's. Cared for to this day by the original owner, who designed the pseudo-symmetrical floor plan. Set on acres on land in the middle of a small town, with a creek that runs through the manicured backyard. A number of weddings have been celebrated in the beautiful outdoor space. Several of the trees are perfect for climbing. There is a tree house in the "way back," across the bridge, next to the railroad tracks.

It's where my grandparents live.

My Grandpa Varden has long declared that "You can move me out of this house on a stretcher." It is a place near and dear to his heart, where he raised three children, welcomed their spouses, and got to know his nine grandchildren. He has taken great pride in maintaining the beauty of his home and generously sharing his space with others. But life (and maybe a little of Grandma) has gotten in the way of his stubbornness, and the house is officially on the market (though that doesn't mean the move is set to happen any specific time soon... and I have to admit I'm glad).

My Grandma and Grandpa Klaassen started the transition to "retirement living" (or whatever you want to call it) almost two years ago. They are happily settled now, and I am glad. These are good decisions, which, though difficult to make, are important for a new season in life.

I can't say that it's been easy to see these changes. So many of my childhood memories are tied up in place, the places I grew up, my grandparents' homes two of the most important. So much of who I am is connected to the 25 years I've had to get to know and feel the love and support of my grandmas and grandpas. I've spent a lot of time considering what it means for life to move on, ready or not.

I spent hours upon days upon weeks at my grandparents' houses growing up. We read together. We baked together. We went to the pool and watched fireworks on the lawn and set up water baseball and pulled weeds and played tennis and searched the freezer for ice cream and had tea parties and sat on the swing to talk and painted nails and grocery shopped and ate millions of meals around the table... The Christmas trees always stood in the same corners. The treats were always in the same drawer or cabinet. The bike rides and walks always took the same route. The ring-doorbell-don't-wait-for-answer-walk-right-in entry was the same every time.

But when you grow up, things change. You change, or grow. I haven't asked my mom if I can walk around the bend in the road to collect walnuts, or along the railroad tracks to search for big glass marbles, in years. And when your grandparents move, the smaller Christmas tree is discovered in a new corner; the treats find a new home. The bike rides and walks turn into long conversations on the love seat.

It is different. But that is life. It is still good. Truly. Just in a different way.