33 Days

One room is empty as I start the process of packing and leaving this old gal, this old home built in 1955. The number of boxes, too many to count line the dining room wall. I have given away a lot of stuff to the second hand stores and know that there will more trips there. I feel lighter.

It was bought in 1986 to house my child and my boyfriend at the time, Colin. He was the push to find somewhere to live and settle down. The premise was to eventually marry but this was not to be. There were many problems and his drug addiction was one of them. The emotional abuse was to follow and I was his to do with whatever when he came home after days away. I was to stand up to him one day when I had had it and told him to give it to me with all that he had. He laughed and walked away. In that defining moment I was to find my strength. Thank you Colin for showing me that I could do this on my own.

And yes I made the payment of the mortgage on my own. To find a job as a bank teller and to learn more about investment side of life. Also to rent out the basement suite to bring in more monies.

The tenants that have lived in the basement suite and to move on and purchase there own homes were many. There were some memorable characters such as the woman who brought a dog in the suite. I have always stated a no smoking, no pets rule you see.There were many stable people that lived with me, hard working people and people that needed a helping hand. My last three tenants were finally the initiative to find a better way of life. The first, last summer was to party at all hours of the night. The second was to bring a cat in and smoke incessantly. The third loved his loud music and told me that he was deaf and this is why it was loud.

They all three did this gal a favor. It was time to let go. To let go of the upkeep of this old gal. I see the beauty of her. The rounded corners on the doorways. The big windows. The beautiful doors. the huge yard and garage. My most awesome neighbors. But I am so ready to find out what is out there in another community, in another albeit smaller home. But I started with this in mind. The adventure. This is what it is all about for me. Another month of being in the now to savor my time alone and to always remember what this stability got me.