sparks

Tuesday, July 05, 2011

Happy Fourth.
Happy Fifth.
The kids and I traveled to Florida to spend the week with my parents. My sisters, niece and nephew and dog traveled, too.

Big plans to have one last "hoorah!" in my parents home.
The home they built.
The home that became a bit too big.
The home that came a bit too much to take care of.
There were things to organize.
Things to throw away.
Things to pack.
"Treasures" saved.
"Treasures" then thrown away.
"Treasures" pulled out of the garbage and photographed by Libby. (A cake topper that was used on all of our birthday cakes over the years. )
My sisters and I had more breakdowns than we care to admit. And only by the strength of my mother did we get through them. (Like so many other times in our lives.) My mothers attitude amazes and inspires us all of the time.
She explained that they are ready for a new adventure.
A new spark in their lives.
We totally dig that.
Happy July!

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31 comments

  1. That's a tough one, but I'm glad your mom is excited about the "next big adventure" coming her way! It wasn't easy when my mom sold the house I'd grown up in for nineteen years - but the memories will always be with me!

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  2. Isn't it hard at these times?
    However, i heard a beautiful comment the other day when a 90yo man moved off the farm he'd always lived on - "It's only through change that history is made"

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  3. Your Mom must be a courageous and optimist woman, what an example!

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  4. Aw. That's so sad! I'm just glad you could all be together, though - I bet it helped a lot, and meant a lot you all came to help.

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  5. The ups and downs of time passing....I hope your parents' new home is in a location where you and your sisters may visit often. As for the treasures, they hold such a dear place in our hearts. I'm thinking I may have to make a photo collage of some of the ones that I took from my grandmother's home after she passed away.

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  6. Wishing your parents many wonderful new adventures!

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  7. *Hugs!* Sorry you are going through this.

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  8. That is so hard, but I love your mom's attitude. Blessings.

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  9. Fifth anniversary already?? Cheers!!

    I'm sure it was hard packing all that up, but how wonderful that you were able to do it together!

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  10. Change is always hard. You will find that "going home" is not going to a certain house, but going to where your parents are.:-)
    Glad you were able to take some memories and treasures home with you.

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  11. I wish your parents well on their new adventure.

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  12. Anonymous7/06/2011

    sounds like a great new beginning for your parents.

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  13. Aww, your mother sounds like a trooper, in fact your whole family sounds wonderful. Good luck to your parents.

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  14. Aw, how wonderful that you and your sisters were able to do this with your mom. That, in itself, is such a gift. Hope you had a wonderful week.

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  15. This is a very touching post. Happy 4th!

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  16. So glad you could all be together for the beginning of the transition. I sure hope Libby "saved" that cake topper!! thinking of you...

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  17. Anonymous7/06/2011

    LESLIE, WHAT HAPPED TO THE BEAUTIFUL DOG RESCUED BY YOUR FAMILY?
    YOU NEVER POSTED ABOUT HER AGAIN:(

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  18. A bittersweet trip...Love how you are so close to your family. Hope they are moving closer to you?

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  19. Such a bittersweet experience. That cake topper is precious. Cheers to new adventures.

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  20. Oh my goodness, I can't even bear to think about the day that is sure to come when my parents decide to move out of my childhood home. What a beautiful post, sweetly capturing your nostalgia!

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  21. Oh changes are so difficult at times. Glad that you're having a good attitude about it - perhaps your mother's heart rubbing off on yours? Adventure. That's a good word it.

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  22. I so love the cake topper!!! we had a cake that was a topper and when you lit the candle it played Happy brithday to you tune. Thing I s, I bought it for my grandma originally and she couldnt hear the thing!

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  23. God bless them...they sound wonderful!

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  24. Very sad but I bet you found some wonderful treasures. Here's to the next chapter. x

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  25. wishing you all the very best. change is hard, but the new can be wonderful. xo

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  26. wow!
    Thrilled by the news from your parents!
    And, no matter where, it'll be a sweet home...
    a house becomes a home when love is painted in all walls...
    wonderful new home for you all! :D

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  27. What a tender post. I'm certainly not looking forward to the time when my parents need to sell the home I grew up in. So many memories are attached, but I understand the need for our parents to move on too. Now you're off to make new memories with your parents in a new place ... could be great fun!

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  28. oh my...it sounds very very bittersweet...your mom is right though- her next big adventure is waiting for her! and the real memories are always inside of us.

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  29. What memories you must have uncovered...I am sure it was good and hard all at once. Hope your mom and dad are resettled again aoon. I am sure you and your sisters gave them much love and support.

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