Today is Monday, August 16, 2021, a beautiful, bright morning just days after the microburst that brought many trees down in Elliot Lake. I, personally, was fortunate as the trees close to my home remained strong and standing. Others weren't so fortunate and it was a memorable storm. Power was off for hours. Many without generators lost their refrigerator and freezer food. Again, I was fortunate to have good neighbours, with generator, who offered to keep my freezer food frozen and I suffered no losses. I am thankful.
Soon I will be on the move. I will be meeting new friends and neighbours as I make the major change from long-time home-owner to apartment dweller. I look forward to the move but I can't deny that I will miss my backyard and my front porch.
At this time my heart goes out to the Afghan people who are desperate to move out of their country that is under Taliban control. Knowing the chaotic scene and the necessity of their evacuation, my move seems much less significant.
But, to me, my upcoming move is a major transition.
I moved to Elliot Lake twenty-one years ago and I bought my Central Avenue home in January of 2000. I made the move from Caledon East in April and until four years ago that was my home where I lived happily with my Brian who was a very hard worker. Together we made many improvements on our Central Avenue home and we spent many happy times in our home and especially in what we called "The Ki House" which was a cedar gazebo in the backyard.
It was a nice home but stairs everywhere since the house had three levels plus a tiered backyard and an elevated deck. Unfortunately Brian's rheumatoid arthritis deemed we must move to make his life easier. A home on one level was needed and that is why we made the move to my current home on Roman Avenue.
Brian was in good health when we made the purchase of the new home but, sadly, before we made the actual move he needed a surgery that could not be postponed. What was meant to be a minor surgery became major and recovery was very slow. By the time we moved into the home on Roman, Brian was very ill. A hospital stay was required.
He lived in this Roman Avenue home for a very short time and then he was in hospital for a few months and then God took my Brian home.
Nothing was as planned. While Brian was in hospital, hopeful that he would soon return home, the planned changes to this house continued. The big, ugly, old shed was demolished; a beautiful big deck was built in its place. Fencing was built and pretty gardens created. The house was opened up with everything new from floors to ceilings.
But Brian didn't return home. And my heart was never in this home no matter how hard I tried to make it my own.
I cried when I had to leave my Central Avenue home. I used to tell others the only way I would leave that house would be in a box.
Leaving the house here on Roman Avenue, I will not cry. I look forward to the move.
Most of the packing is completed now. One week from today I will be on my way to my new home which will be a Retirement Living apartment.
I will miss my backyard. I will miss my front porch. But, although this little house has served me well, I am okay knowing it will be added to my list of "All Them Houses" that have been there for me over the years.
I've written and published part one of my memoir. It is, of course, titled "All Them Houses". It is available, along with all my books, on all Amazon sites. https://amazon.com/author/audreyaustin
My little chihuahua, Princess Delilah, or Lila as I lovingly call her will make the move to our new apartment with me. She is my constant companion. I think she will adapt okay to this transition. As long as she has her little sofa, her toys, and lots of belly rubs, she is a happy little girl. Because she, like her Mom, is aging she doesn't walk as well or as far as she used to do. She will miss her little backyard jaunts. But I've bought a little stroller and I will be able to wheel her from our apartment to a green space where she can enjoy her little walk. And fortunately she is paper-trained. She has a fast growing fatty tissue growth on her rear upper leg which, unfortunately, cannot be removed due to a heart condition which prohibits anaesthetic.
My lovely living room and dining room are not so lovely anymore as you can see by the photo below.
No, as compared to the desperate people of Afghanistan, my upcoming move is quite run of the mill and unimportant in the scheme of things. But, for me, it is life-changing. Life is good and life goes on.
Thanks for listening to my ramblings. And thanks for checking out my publications at https://amazon.com/author/audreyaustin
 |
| In this pic I was sixteen years old. Life was good. And more than sixty years later it still is. Life is good and life goes on. |