| Saturday April 6th 2002 It's 10:30AM and I'm waiting for my friends to show up so they can help me move out the furniture. I'm figuring I can do this in three trips, which will just leave a bunch of small stuff I can take in the van afterwards. I've planned this one to the max, so it should be quick and painless. So am I going to miss the place? I don't know yet. I've had a few months to get used to the idea I'm leaving it behind, and day by passing day I've felt more like a tenant than an owner. I don't really belong here anymore - I can feel that now. So in that respect, I won't. On the other hand, this was a place of new beginnings for me, just like my apartment is now. This was my first house. That fantastic 60-foot fence in the backyard? I built that. It was the first major project of its kind I ever tackled, and I did a pretty decent job. I kept the lawns cut. I turned the water off and put the outdoor furniture away in the fall, and brought it out and turned the water back on in the spring. I trimmed the branches of the tree that shades our front yard and driveway. I got to know the neighbours and the neighbourhood. For a while, this was home. So in that respect, I will. There's going to be other houses in my future, though. And other cats. I'm leaving three of them behind, here. None of them we've had for more than two years. Nala is the oldest; we had her when we still had Min, our cat who stayed with us when we were living in the apartment before and that later died from lung tumors. So there's some memories there. Kira very nearly died on us shortly after we adapted her, but now she's a healthy rascal. Cinder has only been here two months, a stray we picked up, but she's family to the other two now. They all belong in this house, together. Any one of them would easily adjust to apartment life, but you don't split up friends if you don't have to. Two of them are sitting in this room with me, looking pretty contented as usual. They should stay here, so they can stay that way. So, that's it then. I've said my goodbyes. I'll still be in and out over the next few days, getting things I overlooked, but this is the last day I technically live here. Tonight I'll be sleeping in my apartment for the first time. I think I'll sleep pretty well. |