Hi everyone, welcome to thanks for being here, a short, weekly pod to remind us of the many

essential and beautiful ways we affect one another. Every Sunday, I'll read a submission

from a listener of Kelly Corrigan Wonders, could be wedding vows or about mitzvah toast,

a eulogy, or retirement speech. We believe this is probably the loveliest way to tap into

our better selves and remember our highest values. We encourage you to share this podcast

each week with one person you love, maybe someone you miss and need to bring closer,

someone you want to feel your appreciation or admiration or both. This is thanks for being here.

Today's thanks for being here comes from Katie Dom. Hey there, I had to share this,

because the sale of a family home is bigger grief than I had ever expected and we are just

starting the process. I put this on Facebook and after I wrote it, I thought of your Sunday shows,

it reminds me of things I hear and I think what I feel is what so many other people feel

when the sign goes up on the family's front lawn, gut wrenching. I'm 50 and recognizing I actually

need less space, first floor primary as they now call it and a shower, which are all the things

forcing my dad out. I have cried buckets of tears, but I know a family awaits this home

to make new memories, dying inside, but excited, sort of, for someone else. Hope you enjoy.

Katie, I know this pain, I have lived this pain and I am happy to put this out there and encourage

the rest of you to share this with everyone you know who is changing homes.

When I was four years old, my parents moved to 8107 Warren Avenue. It was a dream home purchase

for my dad, an avid antique collector. A red brick colonial was the exact opposite of the

modern ranch he had grown up in. Within the next five years, Warren Avenue was bursting with kids who

spent their days in the streets, in the Purcells pool, in the Betcher's backyard or running around

someone's house playing ghost in the grave. Betcher's and Carnies had different sounding bells

...