June has been a month of movement for us. We’re clearing out two houses at the same time. When we bought our current house—the only home we’ve ever owned—I thought we’d never have to move again.
Over the course of our 50-year marriage, we’ve moved over 50 times, but I stopped counting after the 50th move. Now, I just say that we’ve moved too many times. As you can imagine, I was happy thinking that we would never have to move again. However, things don’t always work out as planned.
Abandoning our summer home
We’re in the process of closing our summer home, aka our Nonno House. We’re essentially abandoning it because the village is becoming a ghost town and houses there aren’t selling. I wrote about our decision in All Things End and Goodbye to Our Nonno House. Closing a house down is a lot of work, and in our case, it’s also been heartbreaking, which is rather strange.
Because you see, when our summer home came into our possession, we didn’t really want it. It just seemed like an added burden and expense, and one more thing to maintain.
Yet, that very house has turned out to be one of our greatest blessings! Expenses on it were always low, mostly because property taxes in Italy are so reasonable. Citizens pay no taxes on primary residences, and taxes on second homes are quite reasonable. Utilities were the main expense and they were low because we didn’t use the house year-round.
Permanently closing the house means we’ll have to clear it out. Unless the house is completely emptied, we won’t be able to disconnect the water, sewer, and trash services. Probably because these utilities are provided by the municipality. They will then verify that it’s empty, charge us a €50 fee for the paperwork, and then utilities will be cut off. At least in that way, we won’t have to pay for services we won’t be using.
This month, we went down there and brought home a carload of small items. We took most of them to the consignment store right away, hoping they would find new homes.
We plan to go back down in September with a small moving van to finish the job. We still have to move the big things like the washer, fridge, and furniture. Mamma mia! It’s all so overwhelming for my minimalist side.
Setting up and running a household requires so many things. There are the necessary items, such as dishes, bedding, and pots and pans. Then there are the things that make a house cozy, like curtains, comfy chairs, pictures, and books. The amount of stuff can be overwhelming!
There’s something interesting about stuff, though. So often, no one wants the possessions we’ve spent a lifetime accumulating. Most people already have more than they need or want, and our treasures are often meaningless to others.
I’m grateful for the existence of consignment shops, and that there is a nonprofit organization in the area that is willing to take any remaining items and give them to immigrants and people in need. This will greatly simplify our task and be a help to others!
For us, the hardest part of all this has been all the emotional turmoil. Our family has so many precious memories linked to our “summer home of many years.”
We cherish memories of evenings with Nonno around the fire and chestnuts bursting on the open fire. Afternoons in the courtyard with neighbors. Our kids taking donkey rides. Long walks in the countryside. We remember relishing pizza at the town’s only pizzeria and taking a picnic lunch to enjoy along the Amalfi coast. We also treasure the joyfu memory of our numerous house guests, and the amazing blessing of having the townsfolk ask us to hold Bible readings in the piazza!
Although closing down the house is sad for us, we realize it’s necessary. I’m so thankful that the memories will live on in our hearts. Memories are one treasure that no one can take from us, and that we’ll never have to leave behind!
Clearing out the guest house
As if clearing out one house wasn’t enough, I had the brilliant idea of decluttering our guest house too. I guess I’m just a glutton for punishment!
Bedding, towels, and other items that didn’t get used went to people who will use them. But I mostly gave away books. About 20 books for adults, mostly missionary stories, and around 220 children’s books that our grandchildren left behind. (We are a family of readers!)
Finding good homes for all the books was time-consuming, because I had to take and upload photos of each of them to a WhatsApp group that I created for English-speaking families. I am happy to say, however, that all the books went to families that will enjoy them. I hope they will help to create a new generation of readers!
Annual church picnic
Amidst all this, our church held its annual fellowship picnic up in the mountains. Every year, we invite the other churches in our city to join us for a day of blessed fellowship, worship, and a message from the Bible.
There were about 60 of us altogether. That may seem small, but it’s important to remember that most evangelical churches in Italy are small. This makes fellowship with other congregations even more important and meaningful. That’s one of the reasons we keep organizing our church picnic year after year, despite the work involved!
Ultimately, life is a series of changes. We transition from one scene to the next without knowing what to expect. While we may not always like what life brings us, we can follow the new paths set before us with peace in our hearts. The important thing is to keep moving forward with the Lord, knowing that He is leading the way and keeping us safely in His care.
The divine Instructor has taken us under his wing and he is putting us through our exercises so that hands which hang down can be lifted up, and feet are straightened out, and a lame man is helped to walk. The Instructor is saying such things as, now ‘Keep moving, don’t let yourself get stiff, keep the joints moving, keep them as supple as you can.’
Martin Lloyd-Jones
Oh yes, we are on the move. We don’t want our joints, physical or spiritual to get stiff!
📷 Photo credits: Truck | Others are mine.
7 replies on “The Saga of Our Summer House”
You’ve taken on quite the task of clearing out two homes at once.I understand the need to do this, but I also empathize with what it means to close the door on an area of life, moving forward, and entering the wonderful memories into your mind. Sadness and gladness all in one fell swoop. Thanks for your honesty about the process, Sheila. You’re right; we all go through changes, desired or not. But nothing this side of heaven is worth clinging to unless it’s God, His Word, or people.
I love that nugget you shared, Dayle. Nothing this side of heaven is worth clinging to unless it’s God, His Word, or people. So true. Everything else is transient and replaceable. And much of the stuff we cling to, in the end, we find are things we can really live without. I’m sure Nonno would be sad to know that his house is getting abandoned, yet, I think even he would see the sense in our decision. All things on this earth really do end.
I can’t imagine moving 50 times!! We’ve only had to face it 12 times, and that was 11 times too many! A few moves came with heartache, disappointment, and questions, like: “God, what ARE you doing?!” But in time we saw what scripture taught all along: “God’s way is perfect” (Psalm 18:30). And we found contentment in the new location, just as we’d experienced in the previous. I pray that when your work in the Nonno house is complete, Sheila, you’ll be able to rest with joy in the memories that still live in your heart, and satisfaction in a job well done.
Thanks so much for the encouragement, Nancy. I’m sure we will be able to rest with joy once it’s all done. The memories will definitely live on and bring happiness for years! We had an interesting experience this week. We know that God is always in full control, no matter how much change comes. But I do hope that once this is all done, it really will be our last move!!😅
Good heavens, remember frequently to pace yourself. And, amen. 🙂🌷
Thanks for the advice, my friend, and rest assured that I do! Especially because we’ve been having super hot weather here. But I am pleased to report that the work is nearly done!
Great to hear!