I’m grateful that my parents’ house has sold, and quickly. He and Mom bought that house 36 years ago, almost to the day.

I’m grateful that my dad is no longer a homeowner, and that he no longer has that care on his shoulders.

I’m grateful for all the years we lived there.

I’m grateful for all the memories we created there, of home and family and children growing into adults and having their own children. For all the things that a home sees – laughter and tears and misunderstandings and moments of enlightenment. They make us who we are.

I’m grateful that some lovely people fell in love with it. I wish them many years of happiness as they build their life in it.

I’m grateful that we can all move on – dad, us “kids”, the new owners, the neighborhood – move on to the next chapter, whatever that might be.