March 2 – “A nostalgia outbreak”

We started our day with a two mile walk.  It was pretty warm and humid when we began.  By the time we turned down our street on the home stretch, a North wind was blowing and the temperature dropped significantly.  Felt great.  Brought back memories of hiking in Big Bend. 

As we finished up, our neighbor across the street was outside.  Yesterday was their last day in Mom and Dad’s old house, and she was kind of sad about leaving.  She was pining about the fact that they had no photos of the three of them together in front of the house.  Just for the memories, you know?  I didn’t mention that we have an actual painting of the house that we had done for Mom.  A little much, perhaps.

I spent the rest of eth day working of our income tax.  Now we don’t do the whole thing ourselves.  There are too many twists and turns in a pastor’s tax return for us to negotiate.  We send it off to the firm that has been doing it for us for many years.  It is up in Arlington, so that should give an idea of the time frame.  Let’s see … I was there back in the ‘80’s (that would be when there was a 19 in front of the year).  So, about 40 years they have been doing our taxes.  Guess we should start trusting them sometime soon.

Yesterday afternoon the husband of the neighbors across the street came over to ask for some assistance.  He was moving a box spring out of the garage so the person who was receiving it could more adequately locate it in the front of the house.  The task took all of three minutes, but he started talking about their plans for the future and some things they learned from their stay in Galveston.  About thirty minutes later I came back home.  Hey, I think there must be some kind of named syndrome related to selling your first house.  If not, there should be.

Last night was home group here at the house.  And to make the day complete, the new owners of the house across the street, a young couple in our group, brought cheesecake so we could help them celebrate the closing (which was also yesterday, hence the outbreak of nostalgia).  They are more than excited to get started moving in. 

It has been fun to be a part of watching both families enjoy the house and turn it into a home special to them.  I’m certain Mom and Dad would be happy to see how things have turned out. 

Psalms 34:22 says, “The Lord redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.”

Father, thank you for blessing two more families with a place to grow and live and love.  Amen.