An Empty House
So we moved our home the past two days. The Gotham Gal worked the send side. I worked the receive side. It went well, pretty much as we expected. Best we could hope for. And The Gotham Gal gets all the credit because it was well planned out. As a smart investor once told me, execution is easy once you've laid out the right strategy.
Anyway, I went over to our old place tonight by myself after dinner to do a walk through and make sure we didn't forget anything.
Walking through an empty house (it's no longer a home) is one of the strangest experiences. Where there was once a child's bedroom where you tucked them in every night with a hug and a kiss is now just empty space, for someone else to fill with their dreams.
Where there was a big room full of memories of parties past, there is just a vast space, an empty bar, bookshelves devoid of the family photos and favorite books that showed the world who we are.
I am not a particularly sentimental person. I like to move on. And I am sitting here in our new place loving the new look, feel, and comforts of home. But I must say that for a moment, which passed as quickly as it came, there was a wistful feeling. And I suppose that's a good thing.
Good post Fred.
First we bring meaning to things, then they give us back memories. Thats how we carry on around here.
Empty house is kind of scary because you suddenly realize that it lost its meaning.
Alex
Posted by: Alex Iskold | March 20, 2007 at 10:55 PM
Fred,
I didn't move around like you did as a child (grew up, and went to college in Michigan), however, as an adult I lived first in L.A. for seven years, then Chicago for fourteen, and now NYC, going on four. Each of these places hold wonderful memories. Memories of growth, experience, learning. I have photos to document all this, and I love to look at them, each and all, but in reality, as much as I cherish each of the memories these photos evoke, I wouldn't trade one of them for the moments I have that are created today, forever to be remembered, forever to be judged, and most of all, forever to be enjoyed!
Posted by: Stephen L. McKay | March 21, 2007 at 12:25 AM
mazel tov - muchos nachass
Posted by: howard Lindzon | March 21, 2007 at 03:11 AM
A wistful feeling??? What! Say it aint so! All along we thought you were vulcan, now this.
My day has started upside down...I shall run with scissors.
Posted by: Hockeydino | March 21, 2007 at 06:46 AM
I can relate to that!
Posted by: TheBillfold | March 21, 2007 at 08:56 AM
A great piece--it's nice that you focus on the relationship with your readers by offering a personal side. Enjoy the new home!
Posted by: jer979 | March 21, 2007 at 09:31 AM
Welcome home.
Posted by: Charlie Crystle | CEO, Mission Research | March 21, 2007 at 09:41 AM
Having moved around quite a bit myself, I know the way you feel. There is a wistfulness that comes with leaving a home you lived in for a while.
Moving in to a new house is like getting a new pair of jeans - it takes a while to break it in, but eventually the fit is perfect.
Enjoy making new memories...
Posted by: John Mahoney | March 21, 2007 at 05:04 PM