I wrote about our present home before.
It was the provision of The Lord fourteen years ago for us and the nine children who still lived at home.
We now have an empty nest! There are no more fledglings left! They are grown up and have moved on from their parents. Yes, it is lonely after all the activity of a full household. Instead of children running up and down the stairs all I hear is the timbers creaking.
Many of the seven bedrooms are empty. The heating is turned off in the rooms. Where there used to be life, chatter, laughter, lights on and essays being written, there is silence and a chill in the air.
There is no one to call to make a cup of tea and have a chat. There is no news about what friends are up to.
There are no cries of “Who touched my Razor.” “Where is my toothbrush?” “Who used my hair jell?” “Dinner is ready!” “It is prayer time. Come down for prayers.”
I do not have to check the rooms to see if everyone is in bed. My boys and girls slept in peace in their warm beds. They were always well rested to face all the activity of their young lives. He gives his beloved sleep. Psalm 127 v 2
There are five levels of stairs in my home so one had to shout loud. Even then everyone did not hear the call.
An African man came to visit. He enjoyed all the buzz in our home. It reminded him of his own country where there is plenty of activity and noise.
The jam in the cupboard grows mould because there is no one to eat peanut and jam sandwiches. I throw out vegetables and leftovers in the fridge because there are no hungry boys coming in from football to eat them.
The washing machines are silent. I would have two washing machines on the go to wash towels and all the jeans and socks.
The house was warmer then with all the bodies in the house. There was help to keep fires lit and logs cut. I loved the sound of the Hoover on the landing. I knew the carpets were getting refreshed. Now the dust gathers and we don’t see it. Cobwebs grow on the shutters.
A proverb says “Where there are no cattle the stall is clean but with increase of oxen there is strength.” There always was help to keep the family going. The children did their chores.
There are no football bags in the corridor to trip over. I don’t have to replace many toilet rolls. There is no smell of burnt toast. The kitchen sink is not full of dirty saucepans. All the signs of life are gone.
The grass is beginning to grow in the spring sunshine. The plant pots need refreshed. Hedgerows need pruned. The work is too much for two of us. Reluctantly Brendan and I have agreed to downsize. We have to leave this Old House that has lovingly protected us and our children for fourteen years. It has been a shelter from the wind and rain. It’s gardens provided play areas for our children and their friends and grandchildren, soil to grow my vegetables, trees to climb and swings to dangle from.
Take a look at this video on YouTube:
Brendan and I and the children have enjoyed many times of tea on the front garden where the morning sun shines. The children come down one by one to sit with us and enjoy the moment. We enjoyed many barbecues and conversations around camp fires. It’s hedgerows provided homes for blackbirds, doves, robins and sparrows. Blossoms on the Laburum, Magnolia and Rhododendron tress signalled spring.
We had champagne on the lawn for our son’s wedding. That was a great success. And the birthday parties?
We are moving on before all the spring activity starts and I will be tempted to stay. We will keep the memories in our hearts.
Thank you God for providing this house in which our family flourished.
video of This Old House by Shaking Stevens With thanks.
Healed of Cancer. Angela McCauley 
Lovely Mum! 14 years is a good time to say farewell. You’ll grow as fond of your new home in time in this new season.
Good morning Ruth. Thanks for your encouragement. Have a good day.
Hi Angela I know how it feels when the nest gets empty, But for all of us God is shaking us out of the old into the new,we keep the memories but can be expectant that there is a whole lot of beautiful and powerfull things still in store for us!!! When we become aware the times we are living in, we can be expectend for Gods glory!!! I was twenty when i got Tulsi and a whole big part of my life too was about all the things you mention. It hurts but the best is yet to come,also for us! I am very excited about you moving and God says BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL, wauw how amazing is that. I struggle with letting go of Derry,it s all open on our hand God will lead us, to new pastures wherever that is,we will follow.. Be blessed as you make this big transition,He has new exciting things esp for you Angela. With love Nandap.s. thank you for the lgreat time of fellowship together.
Date: Sat, 8 Mar 2014 05:13:26 +0000 To: gnuitterdijk@hotmail.com
Angela, i too have many fond memories of that big beautiful house. Reading poems with jake. Cooking lunches for all of the children and preparing meals with ruth in the kitchen. All the deep meaningful conversations with Aaron, john and David. The joking and comedy of abraham, isaac and patrick (The simpsons and Ali G.) Teaching Angela to ride her bike. All my wee little chats with mary, hannah and ruth in the kitchen over tea and toast with jam, Just girls being girls. The bedtime prayers in the bottom room, and all the good family times down at the fire. I always thought i would someday come back to visit you in that house. I guess that it doesnt really matter what house you live in when i finally get back to visit, because as long as you are there it will feel like home. God will bless you in your new home as well, and you’ll make wonderful new memories with your children and grandchildren.
Very evocative piece there Angela. Unless you had written it, I couldn’t have imagined how quiet that big house could be. Hard to imagine there’s no going back, ever, to the way it was for so long;bursting with life & sounds, dependency & responsibility. Now all is changed. May you & Brendan find inspiration & strength in the quietness you are now experiencing. No doubt, memories are buzzing around your ears like bees. And children will always return for visits, bringing their developing stories & lives. Praying for success & joy in the house-hunting process you will now be entering. Âine xx