I thought I would feel differently when we finally closed the sale on my parent’s house. I went by beforehand for one last look and I was surprised at how little emotion I felt. It was empty of course and all the rooms were freshly painted. I had to look closely to see reminders of Mom and Dad.

Not at all like it was a year ago when we first started digging into the drawers and closets. It was hard then to work for more than a half hour at a time without getting distracted by memories. Actually I didn’t even have to open a drawer. Just standing in the kitchen was a reminder of the hundreds of meals that had been cooked there and the countless cups of coffee swallowed in front of the window.

The outside had more permanent reminders that they had been there. However Mom had already given me bulbs and cuttings from her garden long ago so I didn’t bother much. Just one dark iris that was open and when I got home I realized I already had that one too, blooming next to the driveway. I hope the new owners appreciate the pecan trees and the roses and hundreds of iris bulbs.

I liked the buyers. Newlyweds. A second marriage actually with a teenage daughter. They had lots of plans - tile for the kitchen and french doors to replace the slider that opens to the patio. It made me feel good to hear them talk about the things they liked and the things they wanted to change.