This for sale sign has been in our non-front yard (we don't have one) for the past 120 days. The "sale pending" portion was slapped on there three weeks ago. That's how long it's taken me muster up the courage to post about it.
For the past four months it feels like I've been living in a fishbowl. Having your house on the market stirs something in people that makes them curious beyond belief. People stop you in the grocery store inquiring why you would ever want to leave. Neighbors who would barely wave before disappearing into their garage suddenly want all the details and extend invitations for dinner. Suddenly you're filled with regret over "what could have been". We think "they'll be plenty of time for that" and next thing you know five years have passed.
Since the offer arrived, I have vascilated between relief and sadness. Relief that it finally sold in this depressed real estate market. Sadness that we are leaving a house that I have poured my heart into making a home. Relief that we'll no longer be carrying a debt burden that is too great to bear. Sadness that my kids won't be able to jump on their bikes and ride to school. Relief that I won't have to worry about disgruntled neighbors calling the police over my kids playing in the woods and being boys. (that really happened and, no, I'm not bitter about it) Sadness that I probably won't be within walking distance to my walking partners.
So I know that all of this begs the natural question: "Where are they going?" That's always my first thought when I see a sign appear in someone's yard. And the people usually already know where their next destination is. We don't. We really don't. Nothing has been clear to us so far except that we need a big backyard.
Fortunately (and unfortunately) this is not unfamiliar territory to us. This will be our eighth move in seventeen years and we've never been in the military. It's exciting to see what lies ahead and nerve-wracking to really not know where we're headed. But I know God does. If I really believe that He orders our steps--and I do--then I can trust that He has it all worked out. I just need to trust Him. He's always taken care of us and I'm sure this time won't be any different. Sounds so simple, doesn't it?
I'll keep you posted.
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2 Responses to “SOLD”
Hi Dana, Yeah for being able to sell your house. That is not a process that is "fun" no matter how you slice it. I hope that your next adventure takes you to a place of joy! I can't believe you've moved that many times....yikes!
Congratulations!!
I totally understand about the neighborhood curiosity thing. My next door neighbor and my across the street neighbor just moved the first of this month... I was so happy that I had established real open-door relationships with them both, and felt honest to goodness sadness when they were no longer there. I think I'm still sad... Nothing in common, no middle ground, just me reaching out to them, and them responding. It was such a sweet bond... and now they're gone and I'm at square one with new neighbors who don't know me from Adam.
I actually told my next door neighbor, "We're really fun... You're going to just love us," something I would have said to the old neighbors and we'd have laughed over it, but they just looked at me like I was weird... and then it hit me, "THEY DON'T KNOW ME." IT IS WEIRD!
Adrain should have smacked my arm or something, but he never knows what's going to come out of my mouth. Poor guy. (Frankly, neither do I)
Long story short- I hope your new neighbors whoever and wherever they are, are not only curious, but also really really NICE.
Sash
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