We have lift off!

The house is no longer mine, but my future is.

If not looking back means you are headed in the right direction, then I am.

I can’t say that it wasn’t difficult to leave Teaneck after nearly 30 years. But I have photos, movies and my children to help me recall and re-experience the good family times I had there.

And I certainly can’t say it wasn’t difficult – physically and mentally – to make decisions on the disposition of every single item in the house, from art and other collectibles to everyday housewares, from books and music to work-related items, down to the last paper clip. Not to mention mementos from the lives of each family member, and all the furniture!

But decide I did. Sometimes emotionally, sometimes ruthlessly. Until the entire house was vacant and the business affairs – mostly unpleasant (perhaps more on that later) – were settled.

A quick but essential word here, first, about my brother, Peter. He will blush and dismiss my comment  with “C’mon, it was nothing.” Yet it was anything but that. His emotional support, physical prowess, and organizational tactics were nothing short of spectacular, and I would not have made it through the final week without him. I appreciate every day how special he is, the close relationship we have, and my good fortune to have him as my brother.

And so, on Thursday, November 4^th, the first stage of the journey to my new life began. It’s been said that when it rains on a couple’s wedding day, it means good luck. (I think: bad hair day for the bride, and poor guests who have to travel in it.) So what to make of the weather on the day I left? It poured non-stop, and the drive to my brother’s house was difficult because the wind also blew hard, and at night there were several foggy patches in New Hampshire and Maine. But we made it, and my dog Scout, bless her furry little heart, was a champion traveler. She slept most of the way, and ‘performed’ fairly promptly at the rest stops.

What struck me then, and still now, is the magic power of adrenalin. I can’t imagine what else could have kept us going through such a long and arduous day, especially at our age! And at the end, we still had enough energy to unload the rented van and my car and set up ‘my bedroom’ in Peter’s loft apartment (definitely more on that later).

So if it’s true what they say about the rain, I’ve had a very auspicious beginning. Now comes the task of de-stressing, dealing with some remaining details of my past and future lives, and cramming German like crazy. All while trying not to freeze my buns off as the notorious New England winter grabs hold. 

I am ready.

<< Scout’s perch in the Teaneck house, where her elbows left permanent indentations in the stair carpeting

 

Scout’s new perch at my brother’s place, where the builder thoughtfully arranged windows to the street at her eye level   >>