Connections - the silly things we'll miss

I look at a small stone and think - "Aha, a small stone." Amy looks at a small stone and says, "I found this stone on the beach at Carkeek Park. It was two years ago in August, and Lauren and I were messing around on the beach when a wave came up and soaked her. We were laughing so hard, then I saw something gleaming down by her leg and I picked it up and that's this stone that you're holding right now."

I could never understand Amy's attachment (and remarkable memory of) these bits and pieces - the oddments of life. Until now. Finding it extremely difficult to just say "toss it" or even "give it to the thrift store".

Even more difficult is giving up memories and traditions. 2009 was the last year we had our traditional Fourth of July party at that house. We won't have another until 2011. Today is the last day I grumble at having to turn off the toaster before I can use the microwave. And tomorrow will be the last day I stand in front of the fireplace, turn the upside-down switch on (means: flip the switch down) and revel in the wash of warm air on my backside.

Right now, the new house is just a large pile of drawings. Bonney's so wonderfully visual that she can see the place and even make plans for plantings, garden areas and fitting out rooms. I see lines, curves and angles. But soon the structure itself will be up. The crabs will be available this summer (Fourth of July to Labor Day) and our kind neighbors have offered to let us crab and cook on their sections of bulkhead. We're having the usual debates about what to keep "what do you mean, you want to keep that table?? Are you sure?"

Right now, I'm confident that we'll love the new house and will settle gratefully into it with a sigh of bliss. And yet. And yet. Friends have offered wonderful suggestions as to what we can do with some of our cherished chatchkes. But it's hard - so many occasions, so many visits by friends, so many ghosts (hey, they're friendly ghosts!).

I keep telling myself, "It's not the place, it's the people". Soon, I hope to come to believe this.

Posted by Jeff.