Remembering Old Homes by Leigh Riker



First, I know, I know. Halloween is over, but I’ve been thinking about houses too so bear with me. When I lived in Connecticut, Trick or Treat night was a big deal. My neighbors pulled out all the stops: wispy/scary ghosts drifted from their trees, moaning sounds floated from their house to mournful music, and a truly awesome display of creepy creatures adorned their lawn. People came from all over town with carloads of kids, and because I lived next door I had little choice but to join in the festivities. Which I was happy to do. I bought tons of candy to hand out, and one year, getting in the true spirit, I dressed up in a rented “Gone with the Wind”-style gown. You should have seen the children’s faces when I opened the door (though it wasn’t easy to get through in a hoop skirt). 



Then I moved to Ohio—and in the country there were NO trick or treaters. 

Same here now in Arizona. This was my first Halloween in this house, and I set out the two lighted ceramic pumpkins I love by the front door. I bought candy (Reese’s peanut butter cups) for any kids who might drop by. In this neighborhood none did (as I’d been forewarned) so I’m having to finish off the bag myself. Someone has to do it!

I’ve left not only the celebrations of holidays here and there but the houses I’ve loved. Not all of them were actually mine at the time. When I closed out my parents’ house where I’d been raised, I spent the last night there alone, thanking the place for all the memories that had been created over the years. 

A few years later my mother-in-law’s home was sold, and my sister-in-law and I walked the empty rooms, remembering, mostly good times like the fabulous party we had when the bicentennial parade of tall ships sailed up the Hudson River right past the terrace. On that last night, she and I leaned on the balcony railing, saying goodbye to the gorgeous view of the New York skyline and the George Washington bridge lit up like a fairyland. We both shed a few tears as we locked the door behind us.

And now, I’m about to sell my own home in Tennessee. 


It’s always hard to say goodbye. But you know what? All of those happy memories, and a few not so happy because that’s how life can be at times, go with me. And I’m already making new ones. Maybe next year I’ll rent another costume just for fun, but right now I think it’s time for another piece of candy. Care to join me? I’m happy to (virtually) share.

Have you moved around too? Or stayed in one place, making your memories there? 

FYI: If you haven’t read my Kansas Cowboys series, the first three books are still available at etailers including harlequin.com. And the next, HER COWBOY SHERIFF, comes out in January!
            

Comments

  1. Hello Leigh! I spent my entire life in the same house. But since I married my husband, I've moved twelve times. My husband swears that he has to move me every 5 to 6 years just to force me to get rid of my junk. Although, I think by "junk" he secretly means my massive book collection which he should know by now is NOT an option. I'll get rid of him first, lol. I've been okay with most of my moves, although when we sold the first house we ever bought as a couple to move across the state, I admit, I was very sad. I still miss that place over 20 years later and I'm sad every time I drive by it. (The new owners did NOT take very good care of it!) I'm hoping that the house I'm at now will be home for at least 8 more years. The plan is to stay here until we retire, so I'm actually hanging pictures on the wall, something I haven't done at most of our homes.

    I didn't get any trick or treaters either. Save that candy and I'll come help you eat it now that you're here in AZ!

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    1. Drat. I’m having trouble posting so have to do it on my phone. Don’t tempt me with that candy, LeAnne! I just tossed half of my belongings before this move but not the books. Pictures are in storage till I figure out where I want to hang them.

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  2. Leigh, I've moved a lot, I suppose. From house to house, not state to state like you. Funny, life keeps changing. I can't wait to move again. Hubby is retiring this coming spring, and we're getting a "lower maintenance" home that requires less work :)

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    1. You can’t wait to move? I’m still recovering from this one. Good luck with your downsizing. It’s actually very cathartic.

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  3. I've moved throughout my life due to the nature of my father's work and now my own requires the same. Some houses and communities stand out, though an average home is always special when there are great people connected with it. I didn't have kids at home for Halloween, because this house has a street with dangerous traffic. I did participate in a community thing in the afternoon, giving out a lot there. Unfortunately/Fortunately, I overbought and now have a lot of candy left over.

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    1. Great point, Callie. Home is where the heart is. My new place is just off a busy street too so I wasn’t surprised not to get any trick or treaters.

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  4. I always thought one of the luckiest part of my life was getting to move around a lot. I've been happy (and going through the tough times) everywhere I lived all over the eastern half of the U.S. I once charted my adult life by my various offices, including a kitchen table, I've had over my long writing career. Where I live now, the houses are loaded with Halloween decorations, but I didn't see even one child out trick or treating. Not one!

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    1. I love that idea, charting your various offices. Wish I’d kept pictures of mine to make a nice display.

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  5. I lived from babyhood to h.s. graduation in one home, then moved to bigger city for my first job. Met my husband, married and the moving began. As military, then a telephone engineer, both jobs kept us on the move about every 2 years. But I didn't attach to a home, but to people. I met so many nice people that I hated to leave each time.

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    1. Roz, I know what you mean. It’s the people who make a place. I just had a visit here from a good Tennessee friend. Kind of tied both places together. So much fun.

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  6. I've lived in the same house for over 40 years. I don't know if I ever want to leave it or not. I get excited about things like more convenience, but then I look out at the fields and the woods and don't want to leave them. We don't get trick or treaters, which I regret, but I'm used to that by now.

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    1. I understand staying put. I still miss all the family gatherings of my dad’s clan when I was growing up and the holidays spent with both sides. Now I miss the gorgeous mountain view in Tennessee. Enjoy your fields and wiids!

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  7. We didn't get any trick-or-treaters this year either. We've owned four houses in our married life, and I have good memories of all of them. It was fun to look on Google Earth and find that double-wide trailer outside of Casper Wyoming where we lived our first six years of marriage. The trees that were just twigs when we planted them are alive and all grown up.

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    1. I guess people take their kids to local events now rather than trick or treat in the neighborhood. Four houses? You and I are tied! Like you again, we also lived in a trailer years ago.

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  8. I only had three trick or treaters and like you had a big bowl of candy left over...it's mostly empty now...I've been in my house for 22 years, but I've remodeled it twice and that required getting rid of a lot of "stuff".

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    1. Enjoy that candy, Pat. I know I am. Isn’t it freeing to get rid of stuff you no longer need?

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