Last Glances

We took a break from the first full day of unpacking in the new abode yesterday. The residential floors are pretty much set up except for the ceremonial and somewhat involved mounting of pictures and associated negotiations on what goes were (with my 49% of vote). Our more than excellent former neighbors insisted of marking our departure with a going away party. It was strange showing up in our old neighborhood as “visitors” but the strangeness melted away as soon as we took up position on the back deck of the house where the party went down.

Kids Running Around the Back Yards

The accompanying kids were flying around the back yards while their parents bent over backwards to make sure we knew how much they valued our friendship. The only breaks came when called upon to serve as arbiters in one of the ongoing games. It was strangely cool, belying the fact that we’re almost in July. My Panamanian wife kept putting on layers of clothes until the host fired up a chimenea on the back deck. It was a perfectly understated way to say goodbye to these cherished friends. It helped that the view from the deck did not include our old house which was masked by another.

The Fabulous Hosts of the Party With My Wife Seated in Front

Some massive breasts of chicken were donated on the sacrificial fires of the grill but the easy comradery of longtime friends was the true elixir for the day. As the sun faded the cold weather was replaced by a steady drizzle so we moved inside for the meal. In my never ending quest to consume the perfect dessert, a tasty new nomination arrived with full fanfare. I can’t remember what it was called but it involved pudding, graham crackers, cool whip, and frosting. It passed the acid test of repeated servings even when my belly was screaming in consternation at the amount of food I was attempting to fit in.

Keys and Note on the Green Ubatuba (That the Keene Friend Admired So)

After the party we had one last task to perform in the old house. I had to hose down the garage floor and load the last few remaining items. I left a letter and the keys for the new owners who take possession of the house tomorrow. I made a point to walk into each room in the house and recall some special memory the room guarded. It was more poignant than I was prepared for but it also served as a fitting goodbye to a house that will always hold a very special place in our family history.

Site of the Treacherous Insectile Attack - Last Internal View of House

Poignancy fled pell-mell when I then took up the task of cleaning out the garage a final time as one of the other signature features of country living asserted itself in force. The Charlton mosquitoes, who are sometimes mistaken for small birds, decided to get their last licks in as a way of sending us off. They stormed the pen garage in force. My wife was waiting in the car until she discovered I’d left the rear door of the car open which provided another meal for the voracious predators. I was roundly castigated for my failure to protect her for the elements. Pulling out of the driveway one last time seemed almost welcome because dwelling on the memories was too difficult.