We just got home from a week in my hometown of Clifton Park, NY. My parents are selling the house so it was a hard visit in the house knowing that it might be the last time. I purposely stayed a week because I wanted to visit with friends and family and take the girls to memorable places from my childhood. We brought their bikes because the house is on a cul-de-sac and a great place to ride bikes without many cars.
My parents are getting the house ready to be put on the market. They have been painting, fixing, and cleaning. Grouchy Husband helped move furniture to stage the house for photos and potential buyers. It still is not a reality in my mind the house will be sold and gone from the family. I’m in denial but it’s easier that way.
I took the girls to my high school to play tennis. I didn’t play tennis in high school, I played field hockey. I’m not athletic so I was the goalie. My youngest sister played tennis. Princess and I are learning to play tennis now and we’ve just gotten to a point where we can hit the ball on the court together.
The girls and I met a high school friend I had not seen in 20 years. We had a great time at the park and at lunch chatting and catching up.
We went to my Jewish Uncle and Aunt’s house in a nearby town to swim and visit. My Jewish Uncle is my dad’s best friend, so he is part of our family and Jewish, so he is my Jewish Uncle. Got it?!
Their pool was 90 degrees so the girls didn’t want to come out. There was a frog in the pool they chased and took turns holding. That poor frog…
We ate dinner together. Everyone helped, the girls shucked the corn.
We had a great visit. After dinner my Jewish Aunt threw her mink coat on the floor and invited the girls to sit. This is a memory my girls will never forget.
The last day we had breakfast at the Saratoga Race Track so we could see the horses train and practice. The food was not very good but the girls loved watching the horses run.
I left Clifton Park heart-broken at the thought I would not be coming back. I’ve started to reconnect with old friends and there are so many more places that are part of my childhood that I want to be part of the girl’s. My visits will be different because we won’t have the house but it just means we’ll make different memories.
The Dumpling Mama xo