Going Home

In the course of unpacking our household goods last week, we came across a few items from our old house that were inadvertently packed by our movers. Since I had a business trip already planned for Northern Virginia this week, I boxed up the stuff to make a personal delivery. That delivery happened late this afternoon.

As I entered South Riding via Loudoun County Parkway, I was greeted by the huge new Home Depot that is in the latter stages of construction across the parking lot from the Giant supermarket. The new Ruby Tuesday and Panera Bread were open for business. A red "drought emergency" sign in the median reminded residents of the very strict water restrictions currently in place.

I continued down the Parkway and turned right on Freedom Street. Even though I had traveled that exact route many times before, today was different. I felt like a familiar outsider (if that makes any sense.) Making the final right turn onto Crossfield Drive, I pulled up in front of the corner house. I parked in roughly the same place as I did that warm summer day in 2003 when I brought our new baby to his house for the first time. (Ditto in 2004 and 2006.)

Brown landscaping aside, our old house looked frozen in time...unchanged from the crisp Fall day when we drove away for the last time. The mailbox clasp was still loose, causing the door to fall open. The porch was empty, as was the back deck. The outdoor temperature sensor, which I mistakenly left behind, was still in place on the inside edge of the porch roof.

I grabbed the box from the back seat of my rental car and approached the front door. I had placed a note on top of the box just in case no one was home. I rang the doorbell (that was weird). After waiting a moment, I started back to the car. Just then the door opened. Someone else was answering my door!

It was the wife of the couple who bought our house. Her two children were with her, standing back from the door. I explained to her about the box. She thanked me for bringing it. I said "you're welcome" and that quickly I was on my way.

Just as when I saw people I used to work with, I had mixed feelings when I drove away. Even though we are very happy in our new home, I feel a little sad at what we left behind. So many great memories..such a great house and community.

Ultimately though, I left happy that we passed on the first house we bought together to a nice family who is really enjoying living there.