Moving on ...

These past twenty two years I have moved 6 times. First from Israel to America. And within the United States, five times after that. Indeed, it works out to an average of every five years. No wonder my hair is gray and my bones creak! 

I notice that my plants and cat are content and secure, flourishing and blooming in the familiar grounds they are acquainted with. The thought of moving them saddens me. Am I thinking of them? Or do I allow myself to feel it through them? 

I wonder. 

We are in the process of buying a house. It was always our intention to buy something permanent since we arrived in Philadelphia five and a half years ago. We would rent our apartment and wait until we were both settled in our new places of work before finding a home of our own. 

And now the time has arrived. 

Life partner, me, the cat and our plants: We have all laid down our roots in this charming apartment with the edge of Fairmount Park and the Wissahickon Creek as our back yard. Most days I take a four mile walk under the arbors of the huge, old trees of Chestnut Hill. Just a few yards from our large living room window, the birds of the Wissahickon eat daily at our feeder along with, at times, deer, fox, raccoon or opossum. The enormous oak tree that towers up and up and into the sky above, stands close to the bird feeder, housing countless squirrels, woodpeckers, nut hatches, and birds of all shapes and sizes. Many times, I have stood in the living room staring at that tree, feeling its solid constancy taking comfort and peace during moments of anxiety or loneliness. I wonder how will we bid farewell to all that. For, if all goes through with the house we have fallen in love with, we should be moving in less than two months. 

As sad as I am to leave this beautiful place we have called home these past five years, I must say I am excited to find a home of our own. A place that feels like us, open spaces and fine woodwork. "Don't worry," I think silently to Ada, my plants, and ... me, "Perhaps we will all be able to stay in our new home for longer than five years this time."

But, then I smile to myself. After all, who knows? 

I must admit, there is something exhilarating and renewing about moving on to a brand new era of my life. It keeps me open to new places, people, feelings, or ideas.  

And, besides, I think, too, that we just might have found the home of our dreams ...

Comments

[tamarika]

Linda,
Thank you so much!

[Linda Hillin]

I have every confidence you've found the home of your dreams. Enjoy it

[Marion Barnett]

I see both you and Tom in that house easily....It reminds me of houses in Seattle and the one you lived in on Huntington...but this one is on steroids! Arts and Crafts homes have such a peaceful feeling with all that wood and stained glass. It's stunning! Good luck with the home inspection results.

[tamarika]

Thanks to all for your kind comments!

Frank, nothing morbid about it! I, too, hope that all being well I can live out my days (hm ... and nights) in that house.

Danny, the house is 100 years old but we have yet to start the exploration into its history. We first need to get past the house inspection hurdle ... I can feel a blogpost coming on ...

[Kay Dennison]

Sounds great!!!! I'm delighted for you!!!