Gregg E. Brickman, Mystery Writer
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Change--the shock of it all

8/28/2014

14 Comments

 
Heraclitus of Ephesus said, “There is nothing permanent except change.”  (Hey, I’ve got Internet.  I looked it up.)  That doesn’t mean I have to like it.

Here’s the thing.  We live on a sweet little street.  There are six houses.  Four families, including ours, have been here since years before the turn of the century—the 21st Century, if you please.  The corner house’s long-term owner moved on.  It suffered interim abuse and is now a rental.  (Which is the worst fate I can imagine, both for the house and the neighborhood.)  One house had a lot of turnover, but is now owned and loved by a young family with an exuberant four-year-old we call the mayor of the cul-de-sac.

Why am I writing about this?  The couple across the street, having raised and married off their children, sold the house, and are moving out-of-state.  We understand.  We (also empty nesters) have talked about moving someplace cooler, more seasonal, or closer to this one or that one from time to time.

More than likely, we are planted here.  I’m nesting again—planting a garden (that’s another blog topic), growing orchids, getting bids for a new driveway, and pursuing my pay list with vigor.  We have family here, friends, my writing connections, and our lives.

The good thing is that the neighbors sold to a young couple and not to a rental company.  The bad thing is that they sold at all.  Change.  I suspect it’s a good one for our neighbors, and I wish them well, but it’s jarring for us.  Over the years, they have become more than neighbors, they’ve become friends.  People who can be counted on to watch the house, get the mail, and help out in a crisis.  I’ll miss them.  A lot.

I remember a long time ago, the hospital I was working for was sold to one of the big corporations.  Changes, many of them drastic, rolled through the place in unrelenting waves, encompassing every facet of organization life.  It became apparent that it was easier for me to leave and have complete change than to watch what I helped build be torn apart a brick at a time.  I experienced all the elements of grieving.

That is what’s happening now.  Having identified our loss at an emotional level, Steve and I looked around, counted the good things, and planted more perennials. 

Later.


GEB
14 Comments
Jennifer
8/28/2014 05:05:38 am

Aw Gregg- you made me tear up again, so in your honor I am actually posting to the blog. We will miss you terribly. We could not have ever asked for better neighbors and friends!

Reply
Gregg
8/29/2014 02:35:27 am

Hum. I replied to this earlier. Guess I didn't click something. In any event, thank you.

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Barbara Sherman
8/28/2014 08:52:44 am

Change is good or was for us. We sold our home in Plantation and moved to Brunswick, GA. We are no longer 30th in line at the post office. Publix is never crowded. There are no traffic jams. People are actually nice! We can take the pooch to pet friendly beaches every day

Reply
Gregg
8/28/2014 09:47:20 am

The environment sounds wonderful, and I've seen pictures of your house and yard. It's wonderful, too. We've talked about retirement locations a few times.... small town.... walk to main street, that sort of thing. You've done well with it.

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Robb Youngquist
8/28/2014 11:58:36 am

Hi Gregg! Aaah yes change. Hmmm. Well, California is now off the radar, probably permanently. Too expensive I'm afraiid. Read an article in the financials that posed the question: how much goods and services will $100.00 buy today. Each state was ranked. Florida? $101.25. California? $88.56. Plus it, California, has a state income tax so the California dream is dead and I'm not going to renew my license. That said, I'm looking into Tampa. Less traffic, nicer people ... Lots of Midwesterners don't ya know ... Has one of only three Publix "Greenwise" stores in the entire state. Healthy gay community. And well if sister #5 decides to leave TexASS, she said she'd like to move to Tampa/St. Pete. When sister #1 was visiting me from Zurich ths past February, we spoke of retirement a couple of times as we will be the first. She said they will probably look at coming to the U.S. as Zurich is VERY $$$. Then made the comment ... You know you really have it nice here in Florida. Besides, most of our family is East. Point taken. Meanwhile, as I contemplate these changes, 12/1/15 will be here in the blink of an eye. Friends find the fact I'm looking towards retirement as funny ... You'll miss those little patients of yours they say. Aaah change.

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Gregg
8/29/2014 02:46:42 am

Robb,
Read my response to Innette. It about sums it up. But, I agree, it's about people. GEB

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innette
8/28/2014 02:31:18 pm

Having moved to Cleveland after 30 years in Tampa, I know from change! I assumed I would finish out my career here and then go back to Tampa Bay area for retirement, as most if my friends and husband's family are there. So who knew there was so much great music, art, food, elegant old homes, aND natural beauty here? It was really hard to leave, and it's going to be challenging to return. Change is hard, and it gets harder as we get older.

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Gregg
8/29/2014 02:44:56 am

I can imagine the change from Tampa to Cleveland.

I always said that we drove north to move south when we relocated to Tampa in 1989. The cultural change was dramatic, drastic, (perhaps dreadful), and draining 😉. Then the reverse a few years later.

As Steve and I have discussed retirement agendas, relocation being on the list, we've come to realize that the people around us mean more than the climate or the amenities. I'd love to live closer to Benjamin, but can't even begin to consider moving to $an Franci$co... and who knows where he will be down the line.

I'm glad you're finding Cleveland a good place to be.

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Barbara Smith
8/29/2014 09:07:52 am

Yes, Gregg, Change is inevitable especially with aging bodies and minds. However, not all change is best. We have moved far from family and many friends, but we are making new friends and keeping the old. We are also permanent fixtures here in Florida. Some things in life are missed but never forgotten.

Gregg E. Brickman
8/30/2014 09:11:03 am

Barbara, You are sounding very mature and teacherly. 😉

Stephanie
8/29/2014 05:53:28 pm

It has been said that the only constant in life is change. And most of us hate it. It sounds like you are dealing without better than most!
I so enjoy your blog! Keep them coming, please.

Reply
Gregg E. Brickman
8/30/2014 09:09:30 am

Yup, when their moving truck showed up, I went to volunteer for the day, thus avoiding the whole thing. (We did have tears and good byes early in the morning, but I hear-tell there was more later.) Hum... Hear-tell. Must be another of those NDak speak things. 😄

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Monica
8/30/2014 01:50:47 pm

As the mother of the mayor of the cul-de-sac I agree with how you are feeling Gregg! I'm tired of change already. We'll miss Jennifer and Steve as well but are glad they can be with family. I'm happy to hear you guys aren't going anywhere any time soon :)

Reply
Gregg E. Brickman
8/31/2014 02:40:15 am

What? and miss seeing the mayor become president.

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    I write mysteries about nurses doing extraordinary things.  I'm also a nurse, teacher, wife, mother, cook, enthusiastic reader, and citizen of the world.

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