Today, John and I went over to the old house to make sure it’s all cleared out, and to leave the keys for the agent to pick up. We took a couple of photos of the empty place, our home for almost 6 years.
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When we got this house, we were newly arrived in New Zealand. This house has witnessed many milestones for our family. This is where the girls started crawling, walking, celebrating birthdays. This is where my journey as a full-time housewife began and ended, when I started working again.
We’ve had family and friends visit us here. But sadly, the space and configuration is not conducive to parties, so we’ve only had about two or three.
This home, although small, served its purpose for our family. The girls are familiar with the nooks and crannies. Patty even knows the address (just in case she gets lost).
It is perfect for those starting life in New Zealand—it is near a mall, a medical centre, the train station, schools. Not too overwhelming if you’re learning about Kiwi life. Well, it was also cold those first few years—we always had a heater on at one area of the house, until the landlord put in a wall heater. But we eventually got used to the temperature.
It’s now time to move on. The girls are growing up and will soon need spaces of their own. Katie needs a place where we don’t have to worry about her going out into the street. I’d like to have the opportunity to gather friends, John also needs his space.
Marie Kondo says that before you let go of an object, you have to give thanks for what it has done for you. So I’m doing it for our “Starter House”: Thank you for giving us shelter, for being a space of warmth, of learning, and of love. May the next family that stays under your roof find the comfort that we had in our almost six years there. You have done your job. Thank you.
