Gifts from the Past

After almost 40 years, my mother sold the house we grew up in so that she can downsize and be closer to our family.  Years ago, my brother, husband and I bought an incredible duplex and we all both live in it today.  My husband, 2 kids and I live upstairs and my brother and sister-in-law live downstairs.  From Tarzana, it could take my mother almost an hour to drive to our house.  Now, it will take only 15 minutes.

In the past month, we all experienced our own level of excitement, anxiety and sadness at the end of this chapter in our lives.  For me, I was excited the moment my mother made the decision to sell her home.  I looked forward to my mother being unburdened from the house and create a new space for her to live.

And then, last week, I had to pick up some boxes from the house, for the first time in long time, I saw the house that I driven up to about 10,000 times.  It looked really pretty.   The bright sunny day let the house beam in its California splendor.   As I pulled into the parking lot, I got sad, unexpectedly.  With a few tears, I loaded my boxes and headed right back to the city.

When I arrived home, I opened the boxes to find a few incredible gifts from my past.  My wedding dress, letters from my now deceased uncle, old artwork from children who are now grown men, and some great pictures that reminded of some joyous moments in my life.

Today, I saw my mother's new apartment.  When she opened the door, she was smiling.  She gave us the grand tour and it looks great.  It is warm and wonderful and my mother has brought a joyous, light energy to the apartment.  I hope that for this next chapter of my mom's life, she finds health, happiness, peace and security in her new home - I already have.