Endings and Beginnings

There's a lot to tell about our move to this house, and I'll get to that post soon.  But for today, I'm going to talk about an ending.

I just got back from the final walk-through at the apartment.  Scott, the manager, took all of about five minutes to scoot through the space.  He said it looked spotless and that we'd be getting our security deposit refunded.  (Knock me over with a feather - that doesn't tend to happen.)

After he was gone, I sat and looked around the apartment, feeling my eyes well up with tears.  I don't do well with endings and separation - never have - even when the separation is because of something good.

I thanked the apartment for giving us a home.  The place always felt transitory.  It's difficult but not impossible to decorate a rented space, but I never bothered because I knew we probably wouldn't be there long.

Even so, this apartment gave us a safe landing space.  When everything else in our lives was so chaotic and uncertain during the move to Ireland, we knew we'd have a spot waiting for us.  That feeling of security and safety was worth its weight in platinum to me, and I told the apartment of my gratitude.

Another chapter closed, and I turn my attention to the next:  getting used to the rhythms of the new house and working on making it feel like home.