Sold!
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| A wild front garden greets them |
During the viewings, people's response was "comfortable", "original", "quirky", which fits the inhabitants, too.
The buyers are a couple like us decades ago, living in this vibrant downtown neighbourhood with their two young children.
They are in the state of overwhelmed delight I well remember; wish I could call them.
The price was a number we could live with and one they could pay: a good deal. But more than the numbers, I'm thinking of the ineffable soul of a house, of childrens' feet in their footed pj's pounding on the stairs, of "Dinner is served", of candlelight flickering.
I suppose it's ego that makes me happy they mirror our own professions, yet it is also a response of the heart. They 'get' the Aga, the plentiful bookshelves, the lush gardens.
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| Aga gets a new family |
The sale of a home you've lived in for a quarter century is an intense process. We learned to let go of our perceptions of what people 'should' like, to drop our defensiveness and to only occasionally say things like "No children died going up and down this staircase".
Isn't "home" a magical, primal, indelible life marker?
La vie continue.
Comments
The deeper sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.
When you are sorrowful look again and you shall see in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.
Excerpts from Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet
Seemed appropriate somehow and it is ash Wednesday.
northmoon: That's it exactly. And we learned how important maintenance is when it's selling time.
Couture: We are moving to Montreal mid-May, to condo in a former church, see http://www.racheljulien.com/realisations/show.php?id=3
Susan: Several agents had never heard of the Aga, said it was a "problem" and people would want to tear it out. Then they started doing their research and ended up wanting one themselves.
Pseu: If I were Donald Trump I would not care as long as the numbers are right, but it is a big part of our lives so we were pleased about who will enjoy the house next.
It must be difficult to give up the AGA...but onwards and upwards to a new home with the opportunity to start fresh.
A bonus that the new family are in love with your home and will be teaking care of it after you leave.
MJ: We would not have refused a sale to a single person but are very happy it's a family.
Sandy/Doris: Already bought, thanks and if curious see link I provided to Couture Allure. I'm not sure I'd buy first, then sell again, it's nervewracking.
materfamilias: Already dealing with saying goodbye, a bittersweet experience. But like moving while (relatively) young and able bodied.
In situations like these I remember the (now) old book by Judith Viorst, Necessary Losses. Often, leaving a cherished home is one such loss.
And now you have the excitement of your wonderful church apartment ahead!
Laurie Anne, your words bring to mind a sad house moving story involving friends in Switzerland. He was a master carpenter/cabinetmaker and had built many of the installations, but alas has MS so they had to move to a place more adapted to his needs. But life goes on... She (a colleague) is finding this life challenging.
Here is a picture of the church reflected in the window of a café across the park facing it:
http://media.voir.ca/pictures/50/50371_5.jpg
I don't think it's at all odd to want to see a beloved space pass into the keeping of those who will also love it -- our homes and our belongings are outward expressions of who we take ourselves to be.
Thanks to your post, I now see that it was the memories of his family in that house and his two daughters growing up there that he didn't want to leave. For that, I thank you with all my heart.
I am astounded at not having heard of an Aga, I would consider the acquisition of a house with one a coup.
Glad to know that your quirky house found its next quirky owners. As I contemplate the possibility of leaving our own quirky house, I find it reasuring, even as I struggle with the emotional roller coaster that is "shall we go or shall we stay". But no firm decisions yet on our part, just serious consideration.
Now we are all looking forward to seeing Montreal through tes yeux...
C.
Mardel: Reading your comment, I'm reminded of the section of the Scottish Mountain Expedition (WH Murray):
"Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, the providence moves too."
C: Hardest to let go of the relative ease of seeing beloved friends like you.
Rebecca: It will be hard for me, less so for Le Duc- but we did want a new chapter.
Francie
william/Francie: Thank you so much!
HB: Sounds like they are planning to stay a long time- we've heard about some updating they've planned. Hope one day I can stop by, as the previous owner used to do with us.
Move on, now, and enjoy the next phase of life, knowing your old home will be loved.