You were the roots that kept me in New Zealand right back
near the start when I’d wonder what I was doing here and not on the other side
of the world with people I loved.
You were a surprise. A place to meet someone to discuss real
estate the weekend we found out we’d been granted permanent residency. We loved
you. You had an amazing garden (we kidded ourselves we would keep it that way).
You had 3 bedrooms at a time when we didn’t even know how we would fill that
much space.
You were where our couple became a family and we welcomed a
puppy who’d been a bit battered. He stood at your doors and barked, he peed on
your carpets, he shed his hair everywhere.
You witnessed arguments. Not the screaming, throwing and
highly strung arguments of our early 20’s but the slow brewing silent arguments
that would eventually be gotten over and we would make up.
You stood empty while we headed off to explore New Zealand
and other parts of the world. And always welcomed us home with a comfy bed and
our own stuff.
You seemed to expand in size to make room for our close
friends and relatives that travelled to come to the wedding. You provided great
acoustics for many a SingStar competition and lots of space for flying chickens
on the Wii. You held my wedding dress, protectively packed and hung up on the
curtain rail.
I was sad and hurt and angry when one of your windows was
smashed and someone snuck in to steal from us. I didn’t feel safe within your
walls for a while after that. We had to replace our belongings but it was more
than that that was taken from us.
We didn’t have lots of time to dwell on that thank goodness
though as we were preparing for a new addition.
You were where we brought home our 3 day old son in his
carseat capsule, sat him on the floor and wondered what the hell to do with
him. You were warm and cozy to keep our newborn bundle healthy and well. You
stood protectively around us while we spent many sleepless nights and our lives changed unequivocally.
You witnessed tears and tantrums when I couldn’t get my head around this ‘being
a mother’ thing. You sheltered our little family when we were learning all
about each other and how to live together.
You got a little covered with baby sick and spilt milk and
then rusk crumbs and other abandoned food. You were a safe place for our baby
to explore his world and learn to sit, crawl, stand and walk.
You were decked out in the best Kiwi finery to help us
celebrate our citizenship when we finally took the plunge and decided to become
New Zealanders.
You held our art, craft projects, photos, memories,
laughter, love, tears, sadness, and happiness so well within your walls.
In the end we filled you a little too much. There wasn’t
much space leftover. But putting you on the market has meant we’ve tidied up
and decluttered and you are looking pretty shiny and special once more.
I hope that whoever lives in you next enjoys you as much as
I have. Here’s hoping they’re a better housekeeper though and maintain you a little
better.
Thanks house, you’ve been awesome. Goodbye House.
