The last month in Lubbock has been nothing short of dramas. I was asked to terminate my resignation earlier that usual. I had a house on a property that appeals to select groups of buyers. I had driven my car into deep flood water. I had ample free time. Now these are memories as I look forward to closing on my house tomorrow and hitting the road toward Chicago.
The house sale has been interesting. I put up on my sign about 2 months ago. The first day I was pounding that sign into the rocky ground in my driveway, my eccentric artist-neighbor drove by and expressed his interest. Following that, I had a stream of tirekickers and interested parties. It was only about 3 weeks later that my neighbor started to panic (I think) that he invited me to a cookout at his house and hastily in the phone invitation, tells me he's really interested and could we have a deal. Just like that. 3 weeks later, we are closing. Tomorrow, at 8:30. Wow. It turned out to be a win-win deal. That's all M and I ever wanted. Glad that's gonna to be behind me. I cannot imagine many people having that kind of good fortune of selling a house in an interesting property that quickly and getting a cash deal out of it.
What am I taking away from Lubbock?
Most certainly, my other wonderful neighbors who had taken on the role of the surrogate parents after M left for Chicago about 4 months ago. They were there to chauffeur me around when my car was waiting for parts for a week. They were my solace when I thought I was going to be paying a fortune for my car repair.They introduced me to the lake community through church, town hall meetings and pot lucks. They were my petsitters, forging a beloved bond with my endearing dog, and independent cat. They were my real estate advisor. And most recently, my home away from home after the movers hauled everything away.
I'm also leaving behind a few good friends. Some of whom I didn't have the initiative to get to know when M was around.
I don't think I had utilized my two years here to really know the land and its people for their virtues. Most people I came across (at work, mainly) left as bitter a taste in my mind as the blowing dust storms. But for the many sorry folks I came across, I must be grateful for the few good ones that make up for the disparity.
I'm truly sad to leave our third and last home -- the house overlooking the lake and caprock at Buffalo Springs. I didn't entertain as much as I wanted to. And I didn't get to pass the nights and weekends at it with M as much as we wanted to, either.
As I leave that behind me, I look forward to my new base in Chicago. And definitely that new beginning, when I get the chance to reevaluate on how my life would be lived.
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