We have no assets left in England except our money




As of this week, our house in England is no longer ours.  Of the three houses we have sold, this one has created the most emotion.  I am not sure why.  Primarily, I think it is because part of me wanted to stay in London.  The whole process of moving happened so fast, and in the middle of a pandemic.  I am not finished with enjoying England and Europe.  There are still many places on my bucket list that are unticked, and experiences we will miss.  The kids will not wear uniforms anymore; Drew won’t get to play “football,” Lauren doesn’t get to apply to the Brit school.

The attachement to that house, over a century old, where we spent nearly 4 of the kids most impressionable years.  All 3 of them will remember 100% of the time we lived in that house, and this house that we are in now.  But the other two houses we had in NJ and KY don’t hold the same sentiments at 11 Havelock Road.  

We made our mark on that house: we installed astroturf in the back garden, built more storage in the kitchen, built understair storage, put in new carpet on the first flor, updated the ground floor staircase and painted the kitchen cabinets.

And the neighbours: they were the best neighbours ever!  Neighbours that you wanted to have next door as the only people you see other than your family in the midst of a pandemic.  Saul’s head poking over the fence atop his slide “Hi Jessica!  Where’s Ali?”  And Caleb and his passion for football and his dedication to training.  The kids and Caleb having movie nights and water fights and chats.  And now they are playing Among Us and calling over WhatsApp.

The house may not be ours, but we still have the memories and the friendships, and those cannot be taken away!  Quiz nights, summer fairs, Ascot, travels to Europe, walks on the Common, the seaside, pubs, shows, Stagecoach, Dundonald football, Merton Gymnastics, taking the tube, taking the train, Fortnum & Mason, Cath Kidston, Primark, Pizza Express, amazing bookshops, coffee shops, afternoon tea and I could go on, but it will only make me weepy.  As my wise friend Laura said, I don’t need physical ties, I will always have the emotional ones.

London will forever be impressed on my heart.  London and all the fabulous people we met, I Love you and I miss you.

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