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Returning To The Homestead


Blog by Matt Carre | September 9th, 2012


Most of us enjoy a trip down memory lane every now and then.  Sometimes it’s a figurative journey created by telling stories around the fire pit or over a glass of wine and other times it can be more literal and we can actually return to a place of significance.

Matt and I got married in Banff so we are able to return to the field where we had our photos taken and enjoy the breathtaking views and the memories of a great night with our friends and family.

Other places that you can sometimes revisit are the homes you have lived in.  Most of the homes I’ve lived in are in Airdrie so it’s pretty easy for me to do a tour.  I have a lot of great memories from growing up, especially of our home in Waterstone where I lived the longest.  The house still looks very much the same except the twiggy little tree in the front is now a massive towering thing that is taller than the house.

What if that house had changed a lot though?  Would that bother me?  After my parents sold that house, we later listed it and it was great to see the updates the next owners had done.  Things don’t always go that way though, sometimes the changes people make are drastic.  Some past Client’s of mine had a beautiful backyard with decks, trees, shrubs, flowers - it was lovely.  The new owners have since removed most of it to build a garage.  That could be devastating after you put so much time and effort into making your home look so nice.  What if the home you had put your blood, sweat and tears into to care for had been neglected and now looked tattered and unkempt?  I imagine that would be tough to see for a lot of people.

Although I love a trip down memory lane I think it’s important to take a moment to remember that it isn’t your home anymore.  If it no longer shows pride of ownership, it is not a reflection of you and the work you put in.  If it looks amazing it’s easier to appreciate the memories you have but it’s also important to remember that without transitioning and moving you may not be living the life you now have. 

Your home is a reflection of you but only while you live in it.