Tuesday, April 14, 2009

GOOD BYE OLD FRIEND

The little house that sits on the corner on 9th Street in Los Osos, CA is the oldest known house in the city.

It's a small house with only two bedrooms and one bath. It became part of my family in the early 1940's when it was purchased by my Aunt and Uncle. They purchased it from lady who bought it from my Uncle's parents.

My Uncle always loved this little home and when his parents sold it he promised himself that one day he would buy it back.

It was in the early 40's that he met and later married my Aunt. He knew then he was going to do whatever it took to get that little house back so he and his new bride could live there and make it their home.

At first the owner didn't want to sell the house but did allow them to rent it. About a year later, and many hours of my Uncle convincing her, the owner gave in and sold the house back to my Uncle.

My Aunt liked this little house. Though she always felt to far away from her sisters who lived in the LA area. She would often go stay with her sisters for weeks at a time while my Uncle stayed up North going to school and taking care of the house.

When he left to go to the war they decided it would be best if my aunt lived closer to her family, at least until he got home. So they moved and rented the little house out.

They never did move back to this house. The same family that had rented it in the 40's for only $100 a month lived there until 2007. My Uncle never raised the rent. For almost 60 years that family only paid $100 a month.


My Aunt died several years ago and about 2 years ago my Uncle joined her in Heaven.

The little house was left to my sister, Maureen, and me.


It needed a lot of work as just about everything in the house was still all original items. All the doors, windows, lights, sinks, floors and even the stove were the same as when my Aunt and Uncle lived there.

My sister and I were torn about what to do with the house. Do we keep it, fix it up and use it as a vacation get away? Do we fix it up, rent it out or just sell it?
It became to much work and we are to far away for us to keep it. So, sadly we put it up for sale.

In this market we never really thought it would sale. The price of the home went crashing down to about a 1/3 of the value as what it used to be.

Yet, a couple saw the house and thought it would be the perfect place to build a non profit preschool that they had dreamed about. They will still live on the property too.

I thought of my Aunt and Uncle when I heard about this couple. How they both had dreams and fell in love with this little house. So I didn't feel bad about selling it to them.

It's sad for us to say good bye to this little house and all the memories it holds. Yet, with the money I'll be making my own dreams come true.

I'm sure my Aunt and Uncle would be thrilled with the people who purchased this little house and I know they would be over joyed to see it being used to help children.

Good bye little house, I'll miss you.
Photobucket

13 comments:

Catherine said...

Our homes do become a part of us don`t they? Almost like a dear friend. Lovely post and I adore the pictures.

Holly Campbell said...

What a sweet story! I love the way living our lives connects us to houses, making them homes, creating memories, families, our heritage, our history. They become more than just a place to hang our hat, they are places that hold our hearts.

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

Joanne..I loved the story. Very sweet. :) I get so attached to homes. I always have. It looks well kept.
Hugs,
Mona

Tales From My Empty Nest said...

What a sweet story, but what a happy ending for the little house and hopefully for you, as well. Your Aunt and Uncle would be so thrilled that the little house will be used as a place for children. How special!!! I teach pre-school, so I am partial to anything that has to do with children. At least you have the special memories and pictures to remember the little house. You'll have to go visit when it is fixed up and open. Love & blessings from NC!

Glenda said...

Congrats !

I know it's been a long haul. So happy to hear the good news.

Miss money bags.......

Ciao

Tara said...

How neat. I know it's hard to let go of family things(even something as big as a house!)but it's not always possible to hold on to everything, just keep the things that mean the most! And it sounds like you'll make your Uncle's gift bloom into something special!

Harbor Hon said...

What a great post this was. I feel the same way about where we lived as children. Wish I could live there even now. They will be tearing it down though to make room for the Govenor's plan to bring slots to Maryland. I said goodbye to it just last month. Glad to know someone wanted to keep your Aunt and Uncle's little house alive. xxoo

Michelle said...

Awwwww...what a very sweet story. The new owners sound perfect though. :) Joanne, sorry I didn't get a chance to visit you while home. It was gonna be a fast trip and I like to take time visiting new friends! :) Next time I will make it a longer visit.

Rechelle ~Walnuthaven Cottage~ said...

It's amazing how a structure, of wood and plaster can become such a huge and integral part of who we are and our make up. The little house is charming and can only imagine the happiness and laughter that will once again fill it's rooms and echo through it's halls/walls. Oh, the wonderful memories that will be created for yet, another wonderful and loving couple and their dreams...
Hugs!

Donna @ Party Wishes said...

$100 a month!? WOW! That is incredible! What a lovely story.

You will always have the memories.

Sometimes It's Good said...

Houses can sometimes mean so much. My Grandmother's house (where we all used to stay and I lived in at times as a child) was torn down. Her whole street and the church I was married in became part of Ralph's and Birch Street Mall in Brea. You probably know where that is. I still dream about that house. My Grandfather built it for my Grandmother. I always wanted to buy it and live there. Sometimes "progress" sucks!
Hugs, Susan

Donna said...

Joanne, I loved looking at the old photos... How wonderful that that little cottage will be loved again!... Donna @ An Enchanted Cottage

Erin said...

lovely post and photos! Thanks so much for visiting my blog's 100th post give~away! Hugs, Erin