Making Memories

You may remember reading that I have moved precisely 10 times in the last 10 years. And this year it’s Mom and Dad’s turn to move. You can bet your ass they helped me, so you know where to find me over the next few weeks. They haven’t moved in more than 30 years! You can imagine how much stuff needs to be moved. (I don't know what is worse, moving 10 times in 10 years or not moving for 30+)

This is Mom and Dad’s house, but also my childhood home... and they are moving out. You better believe it that I shed a few tears when I found out they sold it. Secretly (and selfishly), I hoped it didn’t sell so they would have to keep it. I took my first steps in this place, had several fights with Amy, attempted to master my jump serve on the beach volleyball court and got rocked to the ground by my own dad in a rather competitive game of touch football in the side yard. Oh ya, and kayak trips to bird shit island...in knee deep water. This was back in the day water levels weren't so high.

So many fond memories at this house that I will cherish. Like filling Das Boot in the mancave and passing it around till it was finished. (The Petrolia boys will remember this) Uncle Craig we’d prefer something other than Carlsberg next time though! Broom shots with Mom and Aunt Jeri, beach volleyball games till someone rolls an ankle, bonfires till the sun comes up and playing frisbee with the best dogs. From the backyard cows and electric fences to raising Dad’s first born fouls in the side yard, to having a pet calf, bunnies we could never keep alive and puppies by the litter (two litters of NINE...that’s a lot of pups to name). Even the kitties on the kitchen windowsill (but never inside) and our favourite dogs in the whole wide world. There are so many memories, I could keep rambling, but I won’t bore you with that.

So here is to new beginnings and the next chapter for Mom and Dad. Moving to the farm, where Uncle Gerald and Aunt Eleanor raised their girls Barb and Carol. Dad is finally at a farm like he’s always wanted. If you know my father, you know he is very involved in the farming industry, after all, that is how he makes a living. (More on that for another day). He breeds and raises race horses. You can bet that he can’t wait to wake up to that view every morning and come home to sit on his back porch every night and watch them run through the pasture. Mom on the other hand is not looking forward to living through another house renovation. Who is willing to bet the new kitchen looks just like the kitchen in the old house? She loves it that much (and we do too).

New beginnings are exciting, but they are also hard. I’m sure I’m not alone in saying it’s hard to say goodbye to the past. But I also know not everyone feels that way, like Amy, we both feel very differently about saying goodbye to our childhood home. Amy is so good at looking to the future and what there is to come. I have so much respect for how optimistic these people are and their positive attitude toward the future. For every door that closes, there is at least one more that opens. Moving forward and new beginnings are about growing as a person and creating opportunities.

Memories are a beautiful thing, but a memory is all it will ever be. You can’t change it, so don’t stress over it and forget losing sleep over it. However, you most definitely can learn from the past. Never make the same mistake twice, reflect on the past to harness your future. Reminiscing over these memories with friends and family is always fun, but don’t miss out making new ones. Seize the moment and do that thing you’ve always wanted to do. Enough with the excuses, if it’s important to you, you make it happen.

Memories are in the making. So add your own spice to life and make it worth remembering.

I can’t wait to see what kind of shenanigans we get up to at the new house!

-Kate