The End of an Era

Eight years ago, an engaged couple moved to a little neighborhood called Brookland.  We had never heard of it before we started looking for a house to buy.  But it was affordable.  Cute.  Close to the metro.  On a lark, we stopped by to check out a house we saw advertised on Craig's List.  I mean, really, Craig's List?  What the heck?  But we loved it.  We loved the big front porch and the yard in the back.  We liked the charm of the old doorknobs and the molding around the windows and doors.  It felt like home. 

Flash forward eight years.  One marriage.  Two kids.  One cat.  We have created a life here.  A family. As a stay-at-home mom, I have benefited greatly from the amazing network of moms and dads here.  There is always a playgroup to attend, a free toy to acquire, and a whole army of moms and dads one click away on the neighborhood listserve, eager to offer advice about how to get my teething baby to stop crying (ahem, Dex!).

When Fionny got sick last June, I was floored by the response of our neighbors.  People wanting to help, cook, take care of Dex...something, anything!  Some of these folks were close friends, but others were people I didn't know very well outside of our playground chats.  They just...cared about our family.  It was incredible and touched me more than I will ever be able to adequately express without breaking down into incoherent sobs.  I will never forget it.  Brookland is such a special place.

But you wanna know the real kicker?  Our next door neighbors are the best people in the world.  Seriously.  I do not exaggerate.  They are incredible.  Selfless, thoughtful, caring...and also hilarious, witty, and so much fun.  You could not find better neighbors even if you launched a national search (Best American Neighbors!).  And here we simply lucked out, getting plunked down right beside them on Newton Street.

Oh, and did I mention they are also PACKERS fans???

I didn't know that neighbors could feel like family.  I guess I don't remember having that feeling growing up.  I liked my neighbors, sure, but I didn't feel bound to them.  I definitely feel bound to these knuckleheads.

Thankfully, we're not moving to Timbuktu.  Just Kensington, Maryland.  It's only 8 miles away.  We will still see each other.  As Nicole said recently, "Together, we can get through this!"  I love her.

So yes.  In the midst of all of Fionn's treatment craziness, we are packing up our house and moving to a new town.  Our closing date is October 20th.  We are very excited, of course, but the whole thing is very daunting too.  I mean, packing up all our belongings from the past 8 years?  Selling our house?  When is there time to do that?  Heck, I can hardly find time to wash my hair!

However, we're plodding along.  Somehow, we trust, it will all happen.  We will get packed.  The house will get sold.  We will get moved.

Fionn and Dex, for their part, are embracing the packing experience.  It makes for cool fort materials after all.

Well, this one's an airport runway.

And this one's a boat.

Despite my sadness over leaving Brookland, we are very excited about the new house and neighborhood.  Our new house will be right across from a huge park which will be great for the boys.  And Fionny gets to take a school bus to kindergarten next year, so he's pretty pumped about that.  Our house also happens to be on the parade route for the town which is pretty awesome.  We attended the Labor Day shenanigans earlier this month, and it was just about the cutest thing I had ever seen.  Here is a pic of Fionn and Conor sitting in front of our new digs, watching the parade go by.

All in all, I know we'll be okay.  After all, home is where the heart is, right?  

I'll check in again on Monday following clinic.  Hope everyone has a great weekend!