Homecoming

Last night, Matt and I took out the collection of cards and notes we received last year from friends, family, and community members.  It was a heart-warming way to mark the one year anniversary of the loss of our home.  We've been living in our beautiful new home for one month, and somehow, to look back on the past year still seems surreal.

On the day we moved into our new home, I had a chance meeting with one of the women who rescued our black lab last February 23.  Audrey and her daughter Karen were on their way to work, when Karen spotted Grete running aimlessly and looking like a mess.  An animal lover, Karen hopped out of her truck and followed Grete until she could convince her to come.  It wasn't until she got close that she could see and smell the evidence of a fire, and quickly realized where Grete must have been.  She flagged down an animal control officer on the way to the scene, and he told them to take Grete to Westgate Pet Clinic.  Audrey, once again on her way to work, could tell the story like it was yesterday. 

Last Wednesday, I was telecommuting from home when the doorbell rang.  When I opened the door, there stood the sweet, petite, Mrs. Paul Hartig.  Mrs. Hartig introduced herself and said "You don't know me, but my husband and I were very distressed by what happened to you, and have been watching the progress on your home this year."  She handed me a package wrapped in Christmas paper and said she had hoped that we would be in our new home before the holidays.  She also handed me the clipping from the local paper with our picture, which had hung on her refrigerator all year, and said she thought maybe we could use an extra copy.  It doesn't get much sweeter than that.

One year later, kindness still abounds.   
   

 

Happy New Year!

Today we made a paper chain to count down the days to our move.  The house is scheduled to be ready for us to move in on January 20, 2011, and we plan to move in that weekend.  We decorated our paper chain with the things we are looking forward to the most - hanging out in the new family room, riding bus 43 to school, Arden Park, walking to the grocery store, and much more. 

It's overwhelming to think back on the past year and everything that has happened.    Last spring we talked about getting used to the "new normal," and we're preparing to do that again, but this time it should feel more normal than not.  Our exhaustion will turn to relief, our stresses will seem more minor.  The insurance process will still be ridiculous, but eventually it will come to an end.  Our losses will become less difficult as we appreciate what we have.  We'll move on, stronger in our resilience and our relationships with each other.

There will still be work to complete on the house after we move in, and we'll  be anxiously awaiting the construction of our neighbor's new home.  No matter the driver, the process of building a home is an exciting one.  This video recaps the process, from a hole in the ground to a nearly completed home. 

Here's to a new year!  Cheers!