Moving is a lot of work. Transitioning stuff 50 miles might not seem like much, but it is.
The last time we made a major move, we sold a house we’d been in for 26 years. We found a place we thought would be a good placeholder until we figured out whether we wanted to own another home.
Then, less than two months later, the floor of our lives opened-up: Mark was killed.
Living in Brunswick was tarnished. It became a place where we experienced the horror of losing our son. I guess the house by the cove was as good a place as any to grieve and deal with our loss.
Brunswick is a nice community. Mary always loved their farmers’ market. Curtis Memorial is a terrific library. I enjoyed downtown, visits to Wild Oats, and walking around town with my friend, Paul.
I also found living outside of town lonely and isolating—not as much as Durham, but Brunswick never felt like home for me.
In 2015, I stumbled upon what was beginning to ripple in downtown Biddeford. I ended up pitching a story and ultimately writing one about city’s mills and their redevelopment for the Boston Globe. I was proud of my work.
When we began actively looking to buy a house, Portland was too expensive. There were also things about Portland that I’ve never loved. We broadened our geographic horizons and began in earnest to look in Westbrook, then Saco, and eventually, Biddeford. Westbrook did nothing for either of us. Saco is a nice community, but we found a place we both liked in Biddeford.
Biddeford’s downtown has really blossomed. Some have taken to calling it, “the Biddessance.” I like that.
Just after we closed on the new house, we attended the Saturday artwalk. We walked along Main Street, ending up at Pepperell Mill. An artist from Richmond, Jim Decker, was painting in the mill. I’m not an art connoisseur in any measure or form. However, when I came upon a recent work called “New Beginnings,” it “spoke” to me. I bought it. I think this is the first painting I’ve ever purchased. He was also working on a piece of a man and a son, walking along a path. I look forward to that one when it’s finished.
Jim and I had a beautiful conversation. I told him about Mark, our move to Biddeford. He shared some of his own pain in losing his wife to cancer. I am honored that my first painting is one of his.
For the past three weeks, we’ve been trekking an hour (one way) back-and-forth between two houses. Mary and I have shouldered this mostly by ourselves. Why wouldn’t we? We’ve been forced to as our unit of three lost a key member and the soul of our family. Mary’s sister graciously assisted with painting prior to moving into the house, giving up two off days to help Mary with a task I hate. Me, I’m “the cleaner.”
New Beginnings (Jim Decker)
It’s been an incredibly busy stretch for both of us. This is Mary’s hectic time of the year working to supply schools in her role as a sales rep for a national office supplier. Me, I am taking a summer session course at USM where I’ve just completed four papers in five weeks, about 10,000 words worth of essay-writing. I just submitted my final paper and posted my exit blog, due Friday. I also completed certification with the National Safety Council to teach defensive driving courses in the fall. I even started new job a week ago, too. Phew!
The moving truck will roll up to the house on the cove Thursday morning. The “big stuff” that remains along with a host of boxes and other items we couldn’t or decided we wouldn’t move, will journey south on 295 to Biddo.
We like the idea of being in southern Maine. Downtown is as vibrant as it’s been.
Lucy likes the house, too!