...hard to impress (a farewell home post)

hard to impress because she's already seen the sun rise today and it doesn't get much better than that. ~Story People

(sigh)

(deeper sigh)

I've struggled (still struggling) with where to even begin this one...more sighing.

I told Seth, it's hard to just sit down and "wear" the sadness of how bittersweet this farewell is.  It's hard to think any goodbye would be adequate or give our house it's "due".  So, I'll just give this a shot and see where I end up...

My good friend Kimberly gave me something sweet that says it so well - part of it read:

Today I'm saying goodbye to a house. It doesn't know I'll never see it again — it has no idea that this will be the last time I'll walk within its walls. It doesn't even recognize the sheer volume of memories it holds; how many tears and smiles and adventures it has seen. But I am here to say goodbye. It almost feels as if I'm visiting a dying relative and saying our last goodbyes; I'm lingering almost embarrassingly as if I want to address each wall, each room, each hallway individually and say, "thank you for the memories."

At the bottom of the letter, she included this photo:

(more sighing)

This is (will always be) one of my favorite pictures.  Our home holds so many life moments, so many cherished memories, so much love.  As I sit here and dare to look around to all the comforts and warmth within sight...well, I just can't do that & think I'm gonna get through this.

There was an air of "knowing" hanging over us this weekend.  This was the last intact weekend we'll have here as a family.  So what did we do in honor of (or in spite of) - we danced in the kitchen friday night, we cooked breakfast Saturday morning, we played outside - we were just us, no more & no less.  We reminded ourselves that above these wispy clouds of sadness and busyness, the sun's there waiting.  It breaks through at integral moments as a reminder that we will continue to be us no matter where we are.

I'm not going to spend a lot of "breath" detailing all that I'm going to miss about our home - I've spent years capturing all the goodness through writing and pictures.  I will let those stand for all the blessings shared and all that will be missed.  They speak volumes and do far more justice than some simple words this morning will do for all that our home has given us and all the loved shared within it's walls.

Some takeaway worth noting though...

This was "us" circa 2007...

 Now our "us" includes...

Teaching us how love better...

To accept change...

To bring our own sunshine...

To accept help, even if it's just for the "helper's" sake...

To stand together and face the world...

To bask in the sun any chance we get (dancing if necessary)...

To never, NEVER stop taking the view...

This home has helped us grow.  We've grown stronger as people, as a family, as believers - much within these walls.  We've had quiet moments of solace, we've known loud moments of chaos - it's never been lost on us the blessing this house has been in all those moments.  But you know what, as the pictures have come down, the boxes have been packed, the more things that stand empty in preparation, I'm left with a stark reality.  This is just a space.  And in the years we've been in this space, the life that's evolved within - well, the best parts of that aren't bound to this space.  

And maybe that's the peace I find in all this.  Throughout this year of insurmountable change - the one big truth that quietly resides in it all - nothing has changed that really matters.  Because what really matters is what we've filled this space with.  With each other, with love, with laughter, with snuggles, with rest, with dancing, with singing, with joy, with sorrows...with as much best life as possible.

And how appropriate that one of the biggest changes of 2012 is on the doorstep of the most humble holiday of the year - Thanksgiving.  Pastor Gary made a great point yesterday about Thanksgiving being his favorite because it's the most unadulterated holiday there is.  I couldn't help but nod along in agreement.  Going back again to last year's pre-Thanksgiving post:

The older I get, the more I like humble.  The older I get, the more I appreciate the idea that "less is more."  Thanksgiving becoming the culmination day for celebrating a way of life - one that includes trying to live humbly and with a thankful heart for my many blessings.

Yesterday's sermon was about turning Thanksgiving to Thanksliving - I couldn't agree more.  As we leave this house that has blessed us with so many comforts and wonderful memories, I pray that we will continue to humble our hearts and be thankful for whatever blessings we have.  Count them, enjoy them and revel in God's amazing grace.  Loving us enough to bestow so much goodness in our lives and all that's required of us is to receive and appreciate the blessings.  

Going back to the "hard to impress" Story People at the outset...with so much goodness in our lives with each new day we greet, how could we really ask for more?!  This next chapter has many stories to be written and regardless of the space we're in, I know we'll be sure to fill it with as much best life as possible.  The thundering beats will no doubt help remind us of this...

Never meant to be contained - thankfully with us wherever we go...

Thank you 1601 Harvey Johnson - thanks for allowing us to fill this space and we hope the next family shares as many blessings in and around you as we have.  Good looking out...

  

Love and blessings

 ~The Fisher Family~

Seth, Traci, John, Ella and Salem Belle