Today I went to the home of close family friends to pick out anything I wanted before they downsize from their four bedroom family home in Burke to a much more manageable flat in Old Town, Alexandria.
These are parents of a friend I’ve had since high school, and I knew this day was coming because she has been trying for several years to get them to move closer to her and into a home that better suits their needs.
Ron and Paula started calling friends a few weeks ago, urging them to come by and take artwork, glassware, Christmas ornaments – anything they weren’t taking with them to this much smaller home. Ron called Thursday evening to remind me to come quick because soon there wouldn’t be much left.
As I walked through their home, I felt strange eyeing their walls, counters, and tables with the intent of taking stuff. Paula walked ahead of me, pointing out water colors, prints, champagne glasses and various other items they’ve collected over the years. A few pieces on the walls remained that they were taking, most notably the painting of The Rolling Stones, with Mick Jagger mid-croon, hair flying, straddling the mic stand.
This is a home that holds many memories for me: the double date prom photos on their deck, my senior year boyfriend’s band playing in their basement, and French and English class study sessions in the den with their daughter.
Fast forward 13 years after high school, and there is Ron, dressed in a tux, offering hors d’oeuvres on a silver tray at my bridal shower. Five years after that, you have the wine cellar Chris built in their basement.
Up until COVID, they hosted Russian Christmas at their home for years, and my parents and sisters and I all went. Since we first began attending, we’ve added three husbands and six children to our group.
I finally snapped out of my revelry so I could choose a few items: a water color of a cafe in Switzerland, a print of a fancy dancing 1920’s couple, and, most impractically, a ceramic champagne bucket with a rim that holds six, stemless champagne glasses that comes with six little matching stands. Paula really seemed to want me to take it. She told me they had seen it on a Rick Steve’s episode. He featured this item he came across in a pottery shop in Reims, France, and, lo and behold, they stumbled upon the same shop when they were there and scooped it up.
When I presented the champagne deal to Chris, he seemed less than enthusiastic. We already have so many pretty but impractical items from my mom, and he rightfully wondered where we would put it. I found a spot and am determined to host a champagne brunch very soon, but we can only invite four other people.
I think Ron and Paula will enjoy their new, more urban lifestyle, but it must be hard to say goodbye to a home with so many memories, not to mention all the things they won’t have room for. They’re just things, but they’re representations of grand adventures, tokens of love from family and friends, and maybe more than a few whimsical purchases.
My Corner of the Village 