Monday, March 29, 2010

Some good news, finally

Window Box
We learned today from our real estate agent that we have ten offers on our house! Almost all of them are above our asking price. The offers arrived with the loveliest, heartfelt letters. There were so many kind comments about the garden from the sweetest people imaginable.

I spent most of the weekend on the couch with a box of tissues feeling such a profound sense of loss. I was semi-prepared for my layoff. After so many of my dear colleagues had lost their jobs before me, I had vowed to only keep at my desk what could be packed in five minutes. Nothing, however, could have prepared me for the realization that we could no longer keep the house.

I am heartened tonight knowing that the house will soon be owned by a family who loves it as much as we do.

34 comments:

Liza B. Gonzalez said...

I'm so sorry but I'm sure that you'll love the new one just as much.

Solanah said...

Aw, it's so much easier to let go of something when you know it will be loved :) I'm sorry about the layoffs, think of it as the beginning of a new life chapter!

Rosa said...

Thats sweet, you're getting a lot more than your asked price thats a great profit.

Lou said...

I thought about you yesterday - about the poignancy of loosing your house - after I had finished reading your blog. So it haunted me abit as I can try to imagine how I would feel in the same situation and it makes my heart ache. So I am glad there is some good out of your predicament - epecially that yes of course, someone else will love it to.

My husband and I once sold our first home - a great little Victorian town house that I adored (still do when I drive past it). We sold to the most lovely couple, a few years younger than us, who had their future to live in it. And I always felt happy, even now when I think of it, that it went to them. They loved it as much as we did.

Sorry for the epic comment :-) x

vicki archer said...

A bitter sweet time....I am so happy your home will move on easily but I really feel your loss. xv

Anonymous said...

that's all so wonderful that the next owners gonna cherish it as you did! all the best for your future!

Giulia said...

I'm very relieved about the offers, Tina, & the notes from prospective buyers. But I do wonder if I ought to leave comments other than that. I feel that I shouldn't say what I really think about many magical thinking (& no doubt, well meaning) comments by so many readers the last few days. For I am not so sure that everything will be fine, better, dream & it will happen, etc. I think you probably know what I mean.

Anyway, that's why I've typed & then deleted several msgs.

I know you will be fine, but I have too much experience in life to leave that sort of note. What to do I wonder?

Back to bed.

Thinking about you & yours a lot, cara.

ciao-meow

kimberj said...

I am so relieved to hear that you received so many offers. I have never heard of prospective buyers including letters like that, how thoughtful! This is not a good time to put a home on the market so yours must truly be special and the love you put into it showed. I too left an epic comment yesterday (and today) but having been in dire straits myself, I felt compared to share about my kids and your lovely Isabella. Please let us know how she's faring. Again... my apologies on the length.

Penney said...

I'm so happy for you to know that someone really loves your home and will enjoy it and take care of it, as you did..
Tina, I've done this a few times, and the last was so hard.. I cried for days, and still sometimes whenever I look at the pictures. It was our families favorite hse., and we made amazing memories there..
We have all learned from that.. Change is good. Growing is good, and life moves on..
Your new digs will be different, because today, you are..
You'll make new, wonderful memories there too.
Have fun! Mark your territory!
xo you,
P

Anonymous said...

The first steps back to light. How comforting to know the buyers of your house have compassion and care about your feelings under the circumstances. And how wonderful that the offers exceed your asking price! After all, there are the intangible blessings of the heart, but also needed here are the very tangible blessings of cold, hard cash.

jennifer said...

thanks for sharing this part of yourself.

flwrjane said...

I thought of you when I read the Dominique Browning article in the Times. I feel your pain. I still have my little house and my job but who knows right? I'm a floral designer not an essential position in this economy. Your house is so beautiful the next owners will buy more that just a house, they'll buy a home.

Melissa Blake said...

I'm just now getting caught up on your posts. I'm SO sorry...about the house and job!! Sending positive thoughts your way!

Sara said...

I love your honesty. I'm the one who also moved residences. The fellow who bought "My" house (read, garden with house in it), stays in touch and we walk the garden each spring, I answer questions for him- the transition can be good, as you are experiencing. Lots of tears, yes. Now I love gardens, not just my garden. I love plants. Love in the abstract, as opposed to the particular.

Laura @ 52 FLEA said...

Having just lost my own job after 27 years, I can easily empathize. I am so sorry about your home though...it must be heart wrenching. Now that I finally have the time I have longed for...the money situation looms ahead. I appreciate your honesty and candid sharing. There are many in similar situations today...but it still hurts!
Take care,
Laura

Amanda Diane said...

sending positive thoughts your way!...i always read your blog and never comment. and now i am, finally
and i hope everything turns out well in the end!

i absolutely love reading your posts
i have a blog too if you want to check it out
http://lovelylovelilly.blogspot.com/

Daydream Lily said...

oh love, Im sending you hugs. Ive never had a place become a real home, we moved alot. So I cant imagine what it must feel like to say good bye.
xo

Jennifer said...

I wish you all the best in your new home and life after a layoff. I was laid off from my job in the jewelry industry a year ago and am working very part time while searching for a full time position. It is an emotional roller coaster, as you have most likely already discovered. Many people have tried to comfort me by mentioning that I'm not alone, so many other people have been laid off too. I find it comforting, but mostly frightening... so many competing for so few jobs. Sorry, I didn't mean to sound so depressing! Hang in there, and know that you've got a lot of support out here in the blog world!

Joanna Goddard said...

wow! ten offers? that is amazing. i'm so sorry to hear about your rough time. it must be so hard to move when you loved your house so much. i'm sure you'll be happy in your new place, though -- you will make it a happy home. xoxo joanna

Karina Gentinetta said...

Don't despair. Look, I felt a tremendous sense of loss when Hurricane Katrina took everything we owned -- our house, our possessions, everything. You think that you can't ever get back on your feet. But you can. You will. You have the strength and years from now you'll realize that everything happens for a reason. Keep the faith!

My Dog-Eared Pages said...

Hi Tina... I know how you feel. I felt this way after we sold our house a couple of years ago... I missed it so much for the first year. I had to get through each season missing it. Many tears were shed but it does get easier... especially knowing that new stewards will take great care of your beloved house. oxo Barbara

Anonymous said...

aw darn it. may your new life be better than ever.

Mary Beth said...

So sorry about the loss of your job and house. Hopefully this really is the beginning of a wonderful new chapter. I admire how you are keeping your chin up throughout all of this.

Michelle said...

Congratulations!

Now you have the opportunity to embark on the brand new path laid before you! How exciting!

...I wonder what this opened door has to offer?

What a gift to see the world and your surroundings with fresh eyes. Leaving and loving the accomplishments in your past...

...yet allowing them to catapult you into your next great adventures and success!!

I can't wait to see what exciting things you have in store for us!!

xo ~ Michelle

Unknown said...

True, our houses become a part of our hearts, but it is not the heart itself, and that is something you will always keep. Your story made me think of sad memories when our family could no longer keep our grandparents' beloved home. I was sad to let it go, and while it took time to get over the idea that it was no longer ours to walk through, I found comfort in the many treasured memories.

Marsi @ The Cottage Cheese said...

Wow, that's fantastic news! Wonderful that you have such a quick sale. Your home and gardens are so beautiful. I know that the past year has been a difficult one for you, filled with many changes. Wishing for you that the new life you are building with your family is a happy one :)

Anonymous said...

So glad something good is happening with your house. I can only imagine how hard it must be to go through this layoff and unwanted move. Hoping for better times for you and your family!

Unknown said...

all very nice!
the blog is beautiful and interesting!

love
xoxo
http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/1432188/factory-style

LenoreNeverM♡re said...

Congratulation Tina, wonderful news with this multiple offers, especially in this rather tough economy! WooHoo!!
xo

Brandi said...

Congrats! Ten offers is fantastic! Your house will be sold soon and you can officially move on. I'm so happy for you.

Unknown said...

I too have gone through much changes this year. I have lost alot and said good bye to lots.....It hurts. I finally a few months ago let go and started living again. Since then God has blessed me with so much. I dont know why we have to go thru bad things. I thought I was humble before. Now I am so much more. Good luck in your quest for a new life! Lots of blessings!

Bombshellicious said...

So sorry that you have to lose your house, hugs to u, your next house will be just as beautiful xx

Shopping's My Cardio.com said...

it is so, so hard when you have to stop working and then you start to lose other things as a consequence. i went through the same things a few years ago. and while i can't say everything's back as it was, i'm still here, i'm okay, and things are improving all the time. i hope that maybe the prospect of a silver lining eases the pain of losing what looks like a really extraordinary home. i know i'd be proud to live there, and i can't imagine how many more of us feel the same!

dee said...

I'm so happy to hear that, Tina. It must be so hard for you guys. It really is such a beautiful home, and I know it will end up with a wonderful family.