The other day, I was talking with one of my friends and she mentioned how her daughter was having a tough time facing the last of her children leaving for college. I told her I just went through this with one of our sons, as all three of his kids are now in college. Reflecting on my life, I remember losing the last one to college. I felt that empty feeling and knowing my husband and I were facing a new stage of our lives.

We all will face different stages through our lives.  Finding something to fill the gap is very important. Like my son, who was feeling lonely. He took up his old sport of tournament fishing. He looks forward to weekends fishing with his buddies and being competitive once again. It helps fill the void. 

Buying a home will also present different stages throughout your lives.

Clients buy a larger home when the children are growing up. Accommodating the needs of their family, they will consider how many bedrooms and bathrooms that will be needed.

The children will leave and the parents will keep their home. The children will come home, bringing their friends to the home that they enjoyed while growing up.  The parents will experience a new stage in their lives.

Then the children get married, and the parents hold onto the beautiful home that holds precious memories. They wait for grandchildren hoping to fill the home with more memories. The home may need an addition to accommodate the needs of the growing family. Another stage in our lives.

Now the grandchildren are grown, and the children are starting to come less and are enjoying making memories in their own home with their children and friends and asking you to come and enjoy their home. Now you start to ask yourself, is this home too large for us? Is it time to downsize? This can be a very traumatic time in your life. How am I going to move with all the things I have accumulated? What if the kids come home, will I have room for them? Can I leave all these memories that were made in this home? Well, here is another stage in our lives. 

Deciding to make the move and face your new life can be difficult. I guess you can compare it to the stage in your life when your home was empty when the kids left. You and your husband are alone again. But now its time to find something to fulfill your life once again. This stage in your lives will bring new friends and how great can be, and you don’t have to keep up that big home. Once again you may purchase a smaller house and you can make this house a home filled with love and memories. Always face the different stages of your lives with excitement and enthusiasm. 

Did we ever stop to think when buying a home that it is not only a big financial commitment, but that house will also become the home that will bring memories that you will cherish for a lifetime. 

God, family, country love — isn’t this what life is all about???