Amanda Lamb: Next chapter

Change is good. Right? It’s an easy phrase to throw around, but actually doing it is much harder. I think, though, if we’ve learned anything during the pandemic it’s that we shouldn’t put off what we want.

So, this past week, we put the house we have lived in for more than 25 years on the market to begin a new chapter. It’s a bittersweet moment—on one hand we are looking forward to starting a new phase in our lives as empty nesters in a much smaller home in the city, leaving the days of child-rearing and the comfortable, quiet suburbs behind. On the other hand, we are leaving a big chunk of our personal history here—it’s the house where we lived when we first got married, the house we raised our children in, the house that gave us so much love and had so much love inside it.

Why? Is the question I get most often. People tell me they love my house, that we should grow old here. I get it. It’s an amazing house, and I could grow old here, and maybe someone else will. But I’m ready for the next chapter which I hope involves an easier lifestyle that leads to more free time to do all the things I want to do—write, travel, spend time with family and friends, and seek new adventures as long as they will have me.

There’s no right answer. I know the day I pull out of this driveway, there will be many tears for all the joy shared within it’s walls—pure joy, memories that I will always cherish. But as I start to put things on the shelves and in my closets in my new home, I am already imagining brand new memories being made here, memories I hope will be equally joyful.

A home is all about the people inside it, it’s not about the walk-in closets, the updated kitchens and bathrooms or the outdoor space, (although, those are pretty nice too!). It’s about the experiences shared there, the love that radiates from those experiences, and the positive energy that can’t be contained or described in a listing for a home that is for sale.

I believe the new occupants of our home will inherit a legacy of that positive energy—this is a place where love lived and love grew exponentially. And it will be that place again for the next family.

Change is part of life. It forces us to grow beyond our garden and see what else is blooming around the next corner. I can’t wait to water my new garden. I will keep you posted…to be continued…

Amanda is the mom of two, a reporter for WRAL-TV and the author of several books including some on motherhood. Find her here on Mondays.