Yesterday, my sister and I agreed on the buyout amount of our parents' remaining property. Once some minor legal formalities are dealt with, my sister will fully own that land, which is adjacent to her property. Of course I'm glad we'll be able to move on from all of this, and yet I suddenly have a feeling of even deeper grief. Perhaps the severing of my link to the home of my youth, feels the end of an era. I also know I will rarely see that place again in my life. There have been so many "endings" these past years. I know there are also beginnings, yet I'm not fully comfortable with them.

A sweet thing about the property (our Dad's house and some of the land) that was recently sold off is that a young family bought it. The father is a Brazilian and the mother, believe it or not, is a Czech originally from Moravia. She even speaks Czech with the young kids. They live much of the year closer to the city (NYC) and bought my Dad's little house and 3 acres as a vacation home. Apparently they are in love with the environment. It is beautiful, especially all cleaned up of the mess my brother created. They put up a large hammock between two pin oak trees, where my Dad had had one many years ago. Sis said one of the boys took a nap in the gazebo. It's green and lush there, packed with a variety of New Jersey birds. Woods and fields all around. That does make me happy that they will enjoy it like my parents did. Apparently they already ripped out the old kitchen and will put in a brand new one. I told Sis to let them know that if they hang a hummingbird feeder by one of the huge dining room windows, that there will be many small visitors. Living in Czech Republic, to a Czech husband, I know that Czechs appreciate these things. Yes, how funny and maudlin. Me here and a Czech there.