saying good-bye to a home and a chapter.

the nostalgia began as soon as my tires hit the highway.

the skies were the perfect shade of gray, mist fell lightly on my windshield, the trees were extra prickly and the auburn tones of the hills drew me in.

it's typical for the thoughts in my head on the -not so quite- 2 hour drive back "home" to be somewhat sentimental, but this day was a bit different.

i was heading "home" for my mother's retirement party and to say good-bye to the home we grew up in.

you see my mom worked at one place for 37 years. yep, that's right. 3-7 years. this place was not just a place of work. it was a place of love and of friendship and family. my mom and dad met there. baby showers and wedding showers were thrown there. many birthdays and picnics and holiday parties-mom's gold party dress will always be embedded in my mind. the smell of my dad's cologne, his tie, and the clicks of mom's shoes as they got ready for work. this place was special even before my sister and i were born and then as we grew the people were still there. the people, that's what made this place. joyce-always singing someone happy birthday opera style mind you. marsha-always making everyone laugh, richard-giving us money to go buy something from the candy/pop machines in the cafeteria, angela-always had a smile on her face and something nice to say, lanny-too cool for school, linda and her california raisins, pam, donna and ida, just to name a few, dad-the prankster, and mom was, well, she was the proud momma-every time we were up for a visit she would parade us around the office and once rylan and tenley were born the parading carried on another generation. i couldn't be more blessed to know these people. they have celebrated birthdays with me, graduations, my wedding and now my babies. these people are great.

the party went well. my momma spoke and did a good job at making us all cry. it's been a long time coming and, perhaps, she won't stop working, i doubt she ever will, but it's a new season and a new journey and i'm excited for her.

on the way out my sister and i passed by my mom's old office. it was strange seeing someone else in that chair. i will never forget that place or the times i spent sleeping under her desk, but most of all i will never forget the people.

afterwards, we stopped at our favorite BBQ joint in town. then we took the faithful drive back to our old home. my mom and dad moved out about 3 years ago and have been trying to sell it ever since. the day had finally come so it was time to say our good-byes.

i followed rylan down the hall and watched him head directly for my old room. it was as if he knew, straight to the very room where momma laid in bed every night and listened to the distant rumble of the train. where sleepovers were had, where my best friend kim got stuck in the bathroom and had to hammer the hinges off the door to get out, where we jammed out to destiny's child and snuck out the back door, where i did a lot of thinking and growing up and most importantly where i finally realized how much i needed the Lord in my life.

we walked through every room that night and shared different memories. like how the light switch in the "red room" was upside down still to this day by dad's "handiwork" and how the door to the closet sticks. how we "fished" with our toy fishing poles in the hallway and exactly where the floor creaks in the living room.

that house is bursting at the seams with memories, some good, some bad, but it will always hold a special corner in my heart.

we took a family picture out front and i drove away for the last time.

good-bye old house. may you be filled with lots of joy, laughter and love in the days to come.

i will miss you my dear friend.