It’s quite an exercise packing up one’s belongings. You get a chance (hopefully) to examine the things that surround you everyday. Somehow in the day to day it all starts to blend into the background. When was the last time I really looked at this mosaic birdhouse that’s been sitting on my mantel for years?
I won this at a Habitat for Humanity silent charity auction during the time I lived in Atlanta in the mid-90’s. When I went to pick it up after the auction, a little chunk had fallen off. I was able to contact the artist (whose name I’ve since forgotten!) for her to repair it. I was thrilled to be able to meet the artist and see her studio. I love the mug handle used as the perch and the mirror pieces radiating around the opening.
As I’ve been packing I’ve been coming across all sorts of old photos and memorabilia. I’ve tried to stay on task and not get lost in reminiscence, but it is futile. I found a series of photos of every apartment I lived in during college. A silly post card from my brother. Handwritten letters (!) from my husband during the years of our pre-marriage long distance relationship. Some documents from small claims court when I sued a childrenswear company for an unpaid freelance bill 20 years ago. The little hat my first baby wore home from the hospital.
Our house is now more of a cardboard collage of boxes than a homey collection of toys and knick knacks. It’s an interesting transition. The more I pack things away, the more my sense of home is dissolving. All of the items that make this feel like home are are under wraps. It’s almost provides a natural emotional withdrawal. If this doesn’t look like home, it’s not home anymore. It must be time to go.
I will miss Wisconsin. Although we’ve only lived in this house 3 years, we’ve been in Wisconsin for about 9. Our kids were born in this state. We like to tease them that Mom is a Nutmeg (I was born in Connecticut) Dad is a Buckeye (he was born in Ohio) and the they are born-in-Wisconsin Cheese-heads! If they don’t like it, they can just tell us we’re nuts. (bad pun, sorry) Speaking of corny jokes, I will miss saying this every time the hot summer breeze brings the smell of manure across the farmland: “Welcome to Wisconsin, smell our dairy-air!”
I’m optimistic about moving to Maryland. Of course, I’m glad we’re done having children. A baby born in Maryland would most certainly be a crab!
: )
you hit it right on the nose. the silver lining of packing and unpacking is the chance you get to reflect on a few forgotten pieces.
I think you’ll like Maryland. I’ve lived here for 4 years and really enjoy living here. The arts and craft scene here is fabulous! So are the thrift stores.
Yeah Cheeseheads! That’s me and my husband through and through. But we’ve since moved on, twice, and love every second of our ‘new’ life and what it means for our girls.
The truly sentimental you will bring with you, the rest will be fabulous memories forever and that will be OK with you in the end:)
Good luck on your move!
This post put quite a smile on my face đ
You are right about the natural prepration of a move by the simple act of packing. After the emotional preparations, the packing makes it real. When it doesn’t feel like home any more, it’s time to move on, (thanks for the education over the nicknames…) I think it’s lovely that you also found things to reminisce over. Wishing you all the best in everything.
Wisconsin and Maryland – two of the US States I’m most anxious to visit. Boy, am I jealous đ Pamela
Oh Betz, I love that birdhouse. I have a painted birdhouse sitting in my studio waiting to turn into a mosaic.
It was great to see you yesterday. I will miss having you around in this neck of the woods. I hope our paths cross again soon in person. I wish you all of the good luck and fortune the world and Maryland has to offer!
susan
You made me smile with your descriptions of people born in different states – we do the same in our house, but for English counties obviously – I’m a Yorkshire Tyke, DH is a Shropshire Lad, our eldest is a Hereford Bull and the two youngest are Gloucester Old Spot Pigs – what a mixture! Good luck with the move :o)