Picking Up The Pieces.

A Moving Experience

Mid-June saw us headed for Reno for an onsite inspection and progress report, with a hope that we would be able to close before the end of the month, which was the close of the company’s fiscal year. We were skeptical, knowing how important year-end booked sales were to things like profits and bonuses. We anticipated compromises were awaiting us.

It was apparent very quickly on the walkthrough that the end of June was not feasible. Too much would have to be done while we were trying to move in. We said no, we wouldn’t close until the house was move-in ready. We were tired of all that had gone before and did not want to take on managing a team of contractors all working feverishly to bring the house to spec.

They agreed, noting that with our experience over the last several months, we deserved a completed home, something to buoy our spirits. The house in move-in condition would undoubtedly do that. We agreed that July 11th would be the closing date.

We returned to Santa Rosa, seeing the light at the end of the tunnel drawing closer. We had a couple weeks to organize the move. We made arrangements for a moving company to pack our accumulated necessities — linens, housewares, bedding, small appliances, dishes, some stereo equipment – no furniture. all of which was on order in three different cities and slated for delivery over the next three months.

Two days before our scheduled departure, more love came our way: my sister and Lusi arranged a surprise going-away dinner, (an event we would have sniffed out under normal circumstances!) Luckily we didn’t, and the surprise went off without a hitch. Family and friends helped ease the sadness of leaving, and we were so grateful that we got to see just about everybody who had helped, encouraged, supported and loved us following the fire.

It was a great Friday evening.

The next day, the moving company loaded the van with our possessions from the apartment and the storage unit. We scheduled delivery to Reno for the morning of July 12th, assuming we closed on the 11th. Our collective fingers were crossed that the plan would come together.

On Sunday we packed up our SUV with the essential apartment contents, pet food, meds, a couple days of clothes. We prepared Pogo and Minnie for the trip, said a tearful good-bye to my sister and headed to Reno, to a new home, a new life, filled with uncertainties balanced by optimism, and sadness mitigated by the joy of knowing we had made it. Lusi and her boyfriend, Rico, followed us in our escape car, the Lincoln MKZ and arrived in Reno ahead of us.

We did a final walkthrough on July 11th, signed off and closed in the late afternoon. We took possession, drove to our house, dropped off a few things from the SUV, hugged, shed some tears and headed back to the hotel for, hopefully, our last night without a home.

July 12th was a lovely day in Reno, 74 degrees at 8:00 a.m. It was also my 74th birthday, one I’ll never forget. Our first furniture delivery arrived from a local store on time at 8:00 a.m. In a matter of few minutes, we had our first furniture since the fire, the guest bed and mattress combo, a small dresser and table lamp.

The movers arrived shortly after the furniture. We spent the rest of the day unpacking, sorting and putting things away. Pogo and Minnie wandered around bewildered, probably wondering when their gypsy-like life would settle down.

That night we crawled into the guest bed, this time with proper sleeping attire. After settling in, Pogo snuggled between us as he had in the hotel that first night. His warmth and comfort was a welcome end to the busy day. We kissed goodnight, turned out the light and took a deep breath of relief.

We were home.