Helping make a new house a home

Over the weekend I helped my sister's family move into their new home.

I realized, as we emptied out their small rental, that leaving one house to make a home in another contains lots of mixed emotions.

As I helped my sister pack, it was fun to listen to all the things that she wouldn't miss about her rental.

There was the garbage disposal that she took apart and put back together, her "one butt" kitchen and a single bathroom that was proving problematic while potty training one of my nieces.

My sister's excitement and enthusiasm about her new home was evident. She had picked out carpet, counter tops, paint and had even learned how to tile a bathroom.

As we got closer to the end of packing and moving I became a little sentimental. It was around that time that I started associating significant events with the rental.

It had been my two nieces' first home. The back yard was a wonderland of endless entertainment playing in the mud and on the swing set.

It had been a place of first steps and first smiles. Its walls had hung the many memories of weddings, new friends and new family.

Unfortunately that all seemed a distant thought as boxes were taped shut and furniture was put into the back of numerous pickup trucks.

As we closed the doors and waved our good-byes to the little rental, I couldn't help but smile warily.

It had served my sister well and I was sure the next renter would make equally valuable memories within its little walls.

As for the new home, only time will tell what memories are yet to be made. Hopefully its walls are sturdy and can withstand the two very independent girls who now call it home.

Jonda Spurbeck is the Columbia Basin Herald design chief. When not designing page layouts, she takes time from her busy schedule to help her sister move.