I look around at the empty rooms and remember what has been. Memories flit through my mind like a flip book. A single tear glides down my cheek and slips to the floor with an echoing drip. You saw it all; the good bad, and the ugly. Through all of life’s changes you were the one constant in my life, and now everything is about to change. Change is inevitable, good even. With change comes a feeling of helplessness and confusion. Yes, this feeling is eventually replaced with one of clarity, belonging, and understanding but the initial blow hurts. This is an ode to you, to change, and to the house that I am leaving behind.

You have seen me as a carefree and untamed child who thought she could conquer the world. You have seen me as an anxious and unsure teenager, and you have seen me as the ambitious and sure-footed college student. You have been with me through it all; the highest of the highs and the lowest of the lows. Your backyard was my playground and your walls were my sanctuary. I realize that you will soon be someone else’s but I will always keep the memories. The height marks on the wall will soon be erased with crisp white paint. The pictures and trinkets will be taken down and any remnants of us will be removed. You are to make a new family happy and be the heart of many more memories. I will not be greedy and I will learn to let you go. You have served your purpose and will forever be a part of me. My dog is buried in the yard; my fingerprints are on the walls. My family’s mark is left on you forever, and your mark is forever left on us.

I look around the empty room and smile, as another tear slips down my face. This is not the end; this is the beginning. Change is important and change is good. To forget about the past would be foolish and to not move toward the future would be ignorant. It is our time to leave you and your time to have a new purpose. I thank you for the memories little house of mine, and I hope to return some day soon.