Cleaning Up A Life

For these ladies and me,

it has been a long month of moving and cleaning.

It's astonishing the amount of things that collect,

when you're just living your life.  But moving time is a good time to decide what you need and to get rid of anything that you don't.

Hence:

we decided, and we ridded, with great gusto.

In our newly emptied spaces,

we gathered together 

thing after thing after thing, 

organized them up

[with the help of very very very good friends],

and put them on display:

When we got a little overwhelmed,

we took little breaks.

And then,

 this house in which we've held 

so many parties and gathered so many friends,

 once again filled up,

 as our community gathered to themselves 

some things they could use,

and made some more memories while they were at it.

And, finally, 

once the remains were claimed and carted,

a bastion of people showed up 

to help us clean away the dust and dirt.

While we had a few teary moments, 

remembering all the good that God has done in this place,

and realizing that the final packing 

would very soon lead to a final good-bye,

we also had fun,

just being purposeful together.

Katy and I had a dance party in the bathroom,

while Ginger got her challenge in for the day.

And when we needed a break,

 we hosted our final meal,

and appreciated once again the expanse of this place.

And then we went after it,

 these precious people 

going above, 

and beyond,

  in every possible nook,

 and all of the crannies,

for us.

And it was not lost on us that cleaning up a life is a community event, and that we are humbled, grateful, and blessed beyond words.  To all who made this experience far easier than it should have been, we love you.  And thank you.  

1460 #19 might be no longer ours,

but every moment here is etched in our hearts, as are you.