Trite as this statement is (“everything I needed to learn, I learned in Kindergarten”) the reality is that it is absolutely true! We learned to play with others, share our toys, be kind and treat others the way we wanted to be treated. Okay, I threw in the Golden Rule. As I prepare to leave our home of close to 40 years, it is more clear to me than ever that being kind, recognizing we are all important and deserve to be treated as such, and that playing well with others is a key to success, and perhaps, to survival. This is an extremely difficult time, and I truly believe that kindness and appreciation help us accomplish all that needs to be accomplished, making it easier to reach our goal!

Every day it seems there is something new that needs to be addressed, changed, updated or removed. Codes have changed over the past decades, permits need to be closed. As daunting as all of this is, we are so fortunate to have an amazing realtor who anticipates and prepares us for the next alarm bell. The fact that we would play nicely together in the sandbox (even though Lauren Roth, Weichert Realtors in Warren, NJ, could be my daughter) helps so much. If either of us did not respect and appreciate each other, this would be grueling and miserable. Note to future sellers: make sure you can play in the sandbox with your realtor…that is the one person who needs to have your best interest at heart, so be certain you feel comfortable when you meet your future personal representative! Additionally, remember to be kind to the people who will help prepare the house, such as electricians, plumbers, handymen, etc. I am so fortunate to have great people in my court, and they are willing to speak with each other to work through challenging situations. Believe me, these challenges present themselves and often it takes understanding of each area of expertise to find a solution. 

Like so many, we have lived the American dream, accumulated with the best of them, filled most cracks and crevices with acquisitions, and now it is time to sort, cull and purge. Donations are separated and readied, items for an estate sale tagged, and boxes (many, many boxes) are lining up to be moved. In a short while, our daughters, who have their own homes and families, will come by for a farewell lunch and they will take their mementos. They will leave their memories just as we are doing. It will be a moment of treasuring our past together, as we move to our future.  

Soon a new family will live in these walls and make their memories. They will make changes and decorate as they desire. If we were to return, our home may not look as it does today. We will always remember that we have treated our home with respect, kindness and appreciation for the joy it has brought us. I believe if our home could speak, it would say these years were quite wonderful, and wish us luck as we close the door behind us.

 

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