St. Joseph did his work. Not in the time limit I’d asked for, but he did the job. Eight weeks after the statue was buried, head down, as directed by the Santerista, the house sold. Yes, for much less than we wanted, but after weighing the choices, we decided to take the offer and move on.
There are big choices to make–should we save money and move ourselves or hire a mover; there are smaller choices to make–exactly how many of the books will fit in the new house? The one we don’t own yet.
Now, as I wander through the house, I see the things that will stay behind. A
few I’m happy to pass on. Several people have asked for the statue of St. Joseph. After all, he’s a proven seller. But what I’m looking at is the memory-makers that may not travel with us. Having survived one floor and one fire, I’ve gotten used to giving up the physical part of the memories, but this is a bit different.
I’m a gardener. Amateur, and certainly not good at creating well-composed spaces. I call myself a “cardiac gardener”–it does my heart good to garden. I like fooling with plants, creating spaces where the unexpected pops up. I’ve learned, time and time again, that once you sell a house, the new owners will want their own garden. What is beloved to me is not to them. And that is at it should be. They will make the house their own.
So I took a few pictures to remember the incredible lilies that came up and up and up. The pear tree, with crisp, firm pears with a faintly floral flavor that taste like nothing I’ve ever purchased at a store. The pears are now the size of apricots, it will be September before they are ready to can and eat.
The hydrangea that almost drowned the first year, and scorched the next. It finally settled down and puffed up this year.
Of course there will be new plants and places in the new home. I’ll probably inherit someone else’s garden or landscaping and make changes. But for now, it is bittersweet to gather memories and get ready for the move across country.
–Quinn McDonald has been living in Arizona 7 months. Her husband will join her next month in a house they haven’t purchased yet. Quinn took the pictures, but she’s also a writer and certified creativity coach.
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