Day 13 The Dream Farm-
I have always wanted a farm, just a small one that I could have a big garden and a few chickens. Unfortunately it wasn't a possibility when we were younger and had small children because financially we couldn't do it. Money was always tight and it was really hard to save. It seemed when we were able to save some money something always happened like the car would need repairs or the furnace went and had to be replaced or something else. I am sure some of you can relate to that. We had a running joke in the family that we should just spent the money we had saved because something was going to happen, and happen it did and usually when we were always down and out about something else. But we kept pushing forward and thankful that our kids were happy and healthy and safe. The kids grew up fast and time passed so quickly and the dream never came to fruition.
In 2012 after 2 jobs losses, first mine and then my husbands we lost the house that we had worked so hard on. It was a 1930 Cape Cod farm house on 1/4 of an acre. I was never happy there. The house was beautiful architecturally , the quintessential cape cod style, dental molding, built ins. Really charming. But I wasn't happy. The house had been neglected for years and trying to work on it ourselves when the kids were small was almost impossible, so it never got done. The lawn needed to be mowed, the gardens tended, it was too much house for us. To make a long story short the day that we lost the house, turned in the keys and closed the door behind us was one of the happiest days I could remember in a long time. The relief we both felt was incredible and we have never looked back with any sadness. There were many happy memories there, but many sad and heartbreaking ones as well.
For 3 years after that we rented apartments. Our older son had moved out on his own so it was just my husband, myself and youngest son. We moved 3 times in 3 years to 3 different apartments in 3 different areas of our city trying to decide where we liked it best. With only a one year commitment we could move as we wished and move we did. Apartment living was an adventure and we met some really nice people who we still call our friends.
After our 3rd year of renting we began looking for a house to purchase. That farm and farmhouse dream was still on my mind and financially we could finally do it, but we didn't take the plunge. We were now pushing our late fifties and early sixties and wanted to have less complication, less work and less maintenance and less responsibility in our lives, not more. So we settled in a quiet suburb in a small 1950's 1100 sq. foot bungalow and we couldn't be happier. We have wonderful neighbors and feel so incredibly lucky to be here. Sometimes the things you think you want or need even when possible become unimportant. We have a small backyard with a beautiful small potager which brings a lot of joy into my life. I have learned that things don't have to be grand or big to be wonderful. My husband has more time to do the things that he loves and I have more time to paint and craft and do the things that I like to do.
Thank you for taking this journey with me today. We can all find real joy in our lives if we keep looking for it.
Until Tomorrow- Stay Safe.
“They say a person needs just three things to be truly happy in this world: someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for.” ...
I have always wanted a farm, just a small one that I could have a big garden and a few chickens. Unfortunately it wasn't a possibility when we were younger and had small children because financially we couldn't do it. Money was always tight and it was really hard to save. It seemed when we were able to save some money something always happened like the car would need repairs or the furnace went and had to be replaced or something else. I am sure some of you can relate to that. We had a running joke in the family that we should just spent the money we had saved because something was going to happen, and happen it did and usually when we were always down and out about something else. But we kept pushing forward and thankful that our kids were happy and healthy and safe. The kids grew up fast and time passed so quickly and the dream never came to fruition.
In 2012 after 2 jobs losses, first mine and then my husbands we lost the house that we had worked so hard on. It was a 1930 Cape Cod farm house on 1/4 of an acre. I was never happy there. The house was beautiful architecturally , the quintessential cape cod style, dental molding, built ins. Really charming. But I wasn't happy. The house had been neglected for years and trying to work on it ourselves when the kids were small was almost impossible, so it never got done. The lawn needed to be mowed, the gardens tended, it was too much house for us. To make a long story short the day that we lost the house, turned in the keys and closed the door behind us was one of the happiest days I could remember in a long time. The relief we both felt was incredible and we have never looked back with any sadness. There were many happy memories there, but many sad and heartbreaking ones as well.
For 3 years after that we rented apartments. Our older son had moved out on his own so it was just my husband, myself and youngest son. We moved 3 times in 3 years to 3 different apartments in 3 different areas of our city trying to decide where we liked it best. With only a one year commitment we could move as we wished and move we did. Apartment living was an adventure and we met some really nice people who we still call our friends.
After our 3rd year of renting we began looking for a house to purchase. That farm and farmhouse dream was still on my mind and financially we could finally do it, but we didn't take the plunge. We were now pushing our late fifties and early sixties and wanted to have less complication, less work and less maintenance and less responsibility in our lives, not more. So we settled in a quiet suburb in a small 1950's 1100 sq. foot bungalow and we couldn't be happier. We have wonderful neighbors and feel so incredibly lucky to be here. Sometimes the things you think you want or need even when possible become unimportant. We have a small backyard with a beautiful small potager which brings a lot of joy into my life. I have learned that things don't have to be grand or big to be wonderful. My husband has more time to do the things that he loves and I have more time to paint and craft and do the things that I like to do.
Thank you for taking this journey with me today. We can all find real joy in our lives if we keep looking for it.
Until Tomorrow- Stay Safe.
“They say a person needs just three things to be truly happy in this world: someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for.” ...
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