moving on

December 11th 2012 Comments: 11 Topics: , ,

The home of Greg Tankersley and Mary Robin Jurkiewicz originally published in Veranda magazine, September/October 2005.
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My family and I are in the process of selling and moving out of the 1914 Beaux Arts estate we’ve called home for the past eleven years. The reasons are twofold: planning for the future and a good dose of architectural ADD (given our history, our attention span is apparently a decade). My wife, who is also an architect and an avid amateur gardener, has been riding the emotional roller coaster of leaving a well worn and beloved nest. In addition to her many talents, she is also a poet. The following is a mourning soul bared, easily identified by anyone who’s suffered a haven loss:

Letting the House go

I’ve cultivated the ground
(I’m still cultivating the ground)
Inspired, by the selling process, to do more:
To cultivate me.

Historical, architectural gem,
Not without shortcomings,
But who isn’t?
It’s time to address mine now.

I’ve sold it in my mind
A hundred times;
Snatched it back just as many,
Ambivalence reigning supreme.

How can I let it go?
In all its compelling beauty,
Further coalesced by compliments
From friends and strangers alike.

But, it’s time to cultivate me.
Big gorgeous home, shared lovingly
With all who’ve entered in…
Been there, done that, check.

And check well done:
Excellent stewards of history we’ve been
Preserving for the next one.
Giving a garden, too, but that’s heartache dealt with another day.

As negotiations slink seriously nigh,
I know I’m ready.
“God Bless This House”
And God bless me.

Mary Robin Jurkiewicz

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All photos by Mick Hales

11 comments

  1. Eloquently written and heartfelt. Such an emotional time.

  2. Susan S says:

    I second those emotions (sorry, Smokey)! Heart-tugging poem, Mary.

  3. Kelly D says:

    My husband and I live around the corner from you and are about to go through the same process. These wonderful homes are so hard to let go. You’ve captured my thoughts perfectly. Thank you for sharing.

  4. Eric says:

    I’m so happy to have been a guest in that home; it will remain a fond memory. HOWEVER, I anticipate the wonder and delight I know I’ll experience when I see what you all craft and create for the next one!

  5. Amy says:

    It’s as if you read my thoughts as I prepare to sell my 1926 home even though there isn’t a pressing reason. The tug between cultivating a house and self ~ I understand. Thank you for your words.

  6. Dennis says:

    Great poetry about an important part of life. Glad to have you guys around the new neighborhood. Over the past couple of years I’ve learned that everything in life is just “rented” anyway. Even if owned in fee simple. Dennis

  7. Cyndia Montgomery says:

    What an incredibly beautiful home. And there is such a difference between a house and a home. Homes are much harder to leave. I’m pondering that decision now as well.

  8. Well said. Incredible home. We were there with you when you moved in & will now be with you as you pass it on to the next family.

  9. Kathi says:

    Aaawwwww!

  10. bil18 says:

    “time to cultivate me”….I’m in sync with Mary’s thoughts.

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