Bye Bye, Zoe

Today is a day I've been dreaming about for at least 5 years. Our tenants moved out leaving us in full possession of our entire 100+ year old house and it's three stories. I've been dreaming about the space, not so much their leaving. They were amazing, considerate and responsible tenants. When I moved into the house their daughter was 5 months old. Their kitchen was below the room that was my bedroom at the time. I remember sitting on the floor of my bedroom and listening to her happy baby giggles. You know, the belly laugh kind of giggles that are so contagious and can make you smile, even on your worst days. Later I listened as she started talking and would exclaim: "Oh NO!" over and over again when prompted. I've remembered those times fondly as Will has gone through the belly laughing stage and when, on groundhog day he learned to say: Oh NO!" with his hands to his cheeks. Now their daughter is a beautiful 7 year old. She started 1st grade this year, and it's hard to believe how much time has gone by. She is willowy and all smiles with pale, blond hair reaching well down to her thighs. Her blue eyes sparkle when she tells me about school and her summer reading.

Will and Zoe discovered each other as play mates one snowy day this past January. Ironically, it was the same day that we reluctantly asked Zoe's parents to plan to move out by the end of June. Zoe was making snow balls for a snow man, and Will thought it was fun to knock down the snow man and eat the snow. So she started making snow balls for him to eat instead. Through the remainder of the winter he talked about Zoe whenever he would eat snow.

Zoe and Will

Z&W

This evening we walked the few blocks to Baskin Robbins for an after-dinner treat. We invited Zoe to come along. Will held her hand and walked the whole way. I brought the stroller because he's never walked that far before - but he was so enamored at holding her hand that the walk was no challenge for him. By the time we got back Zoe's parents had finished their last cleaning and were ready to give us the keys and drive away. It was a bittersweet moment for us because sadly, though we never quite got to the point where we would call them friends, we'll miss having them as tenants. And I'll miss seeing Zoe and Will play together making stone soup and playing tag around the yard.

After we waved as they drove down the street we eagerly ran inside to inspect the first floor of our house. New space with big plans for more room in which to entertain and live life as a family. I told Will that this is 'Will's house' now. Later up on the second and third floor which has always been the cramped space called 'Will's house', he pointed down to the floor and said: "Will's house down there." I guess it didn't take as long as I expected for him to get used to the concept that that space is no longer Zoe's house.

Fondly Remembered