Time to go back home..

[samhass]

My neighbor and I sat on her lanai reminiscing about home. We had a nice bottle of wine and spoke of all we missed. The upshot of this? Two homes, side by side, right on Lake Sumter are up for sale. We will miss one another when these houses are sold, but Va and Pa are close.
My husband passed away in late June,another reason to go back to my woods. Time flies so quickly here, and it has been a great eleven years, but suddenly, I am older and long for the comfort of my family. Do you ever feel this way?

[manaboutown]

I am sorry to hear of your husband's passing and know you are facing a tough decision. I hope and pray you make the right one for yourself.

[Taltarzac725]

My neighbor and I sat on her lanai reminiscing about home. We had a nice bottle of wine and spoke of all we missed. The upshot of this? Two homes, side by side, right on Lake Sumter are up for sale. We will miss one another when these houses are sold, but Va and Pa are close.
My husband passed away in late June,another reason to go back to my woods. Time flies so quickly here, and it has been a great eleven years, but suddenly, I am older and long for the comfort of my family. Do you ever feel this way?

The comfort of family will also probably take me away from the Villages at some point. I really like your posts Samhass what there are of them and remember meeting you at some of the Crisper's meetings. Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada nor Northern CA are not that attractive places for me anymore but I could wind up in Northern VA or St Petersburg, FL. Or maybe somewhere new with people I feel like are family.

We have been here in the Villages 12 years as of June 2017. 21 years in Central Florida.

[rjm1cc]

I know one person who moved "home" and it was not what they expected. I have also seen a lot of posts that point out some problems. I think I might rent in the "home" area for a little time before devising to move back.

[Abby10]

My neighbor and I sat on her lanai reminiscing about home. We had a nice bottle of wine and spoke of all we missed. The upshot of this? Two homes, side by side, right on Lake Sumter are up for sale. We will miss one another when these houses are sold, but Va and Pa are close.
My husband passed away in late June,another reason to go back to my woods. Time flies so quickly here, and it has been a great eleven years, but suddenly, I am older and long for the comfort of my family. Do you ever feel this way?

So sorry for the loss of your husband, samhass. If you have family back home, it is totally understandable that you may want to move back near them. I like one poster's suggestion to maybe not make it permanent right away - perhaps you could rent or live with someone for awhile to see how it goes. Praying that you receive clarity in your decision.

[fw102807]

This makes me sad. I think I would also want to be near my family but know I just couldn't tolerate the brutal winters. I think I would do the snowbird routine and get a small condo up north.

[Debfrommaine]

I, too, am very sorry to hear about the loss of your husband, certainly a life changing event, to say the least. Best of luck with your decision. A few years ago we moved from Maine to Bradenton - after a couple of years the grandchildren were born and we thought we should go back to Maine to be part of their lives. Well, what we seemed to forget was the kids have wonderful lives of their own, we did not need the drama, and they were doing great. We went through three cold winters and decided they were all doing fine, we would see them during vacations (I still work) and we moved to The Villages and never looked back. Your life changing event is different than ours and I am sure you will have a great support system back home. For us, we are right where we need to be.

[NotGolfer]

I'm so very sorry for your loss!! I can't imagine, though I do think about that very thing from time to time. It's as someone on this link said, that "going home" sometimes isn't what we'd imagine it to be. Unless you still have a great support system there and you feel you can settle in fairly quickly and easily. Give it some thought and investigation before going through it and deciding you didn't make the right decision. There are folks here who care. Keep us updated!

[Carl in Tampa]

My neighbor and I sat on her lanai reminiscing about home. We had a nice bottle of wine and spoke of all we missed. The upshot of this? Two homes, side by side, right on Lake Sumter are up for sale. We will miss one another when these houses are sold, but Va and Pa are close.
My husband passed away in late June,another reason to go back to my woods. Time flies so quickly here, and it has been a great eleven years, but suddenly, I am older and long for the comfort of my family. Do you ever feel this way?

I'm saddened to hear of the loss of your husband, but like others who have responded to your post, I respectfully suggest that the author Thomas Wolfe was right when he titled one of his books "You Can't Go Home Again."

When my wife passed ten years ago I couldn't bring myself to return to our time share condo on Daytona Beach for over three years. As time has softened the blow of the loss, I am back. In fact, I am there this week.

I suggest you consider what others have mentioned: perhaps a visit back home, where you might find things are not as you remember them, and your children and grandchildren are living their own very active lives. Perhaps keep your house in TV and find a short-term (3 months or so) rental back home to keep in touch with family.

Before long you might find yourself longing to return "home" to The Villages. The key is to find and make good friends here, and have an active social life. Finding someone with similar interests and similar life experiences is sometimes easier in an area where people are the same age, rather than out in the general public.

Proceed cautiously, and do what is best for you.

[samhass]

Thanks for the kind words about my husband. He was a source of constant joy in my life. If I did not have dogs, I think my pain would be even worse. They keep my spirits up.
I was going to have a "Golden Girls" house . There are three master suites and 2 additional guest rooms with baths in this home. We used to laugh about the Golden Girls/Golden Guys idea. Now it isn't so funny and I just want to head back to the house in the woods. It may be a mistake, but I have to go and try it. I love the cold, but can escape if I wish. I will take his cremains home with me.
Many friends and adopted family are here, and will be missed,
but hope the house sells quickly so I can enjoy part of my Granddaughter's senior year.

[samhass]

I know, but Bon Jovi says you can. :-)

[Blessed2BNTV]

Samhass, my heart hurts for you. May you find comfort in going home and being with family.

[John_W]

My neighbor and I sat on her lanai reminiscing about home. We had a nice bottle of wine and spoke of all we missed. The upshot of this? Two homes, side by side, right on Lake Sumter are up for sale. We will miss one another when these houses are sold, but Va and Pa are close.
My husband passed away in late June,another reason to go back to my woods. Time flies so quickly here, and it has been a great eleven years, but suddenly, I am older and long for the comfort of my family. Do you ever feel this way?

I'm sorry for your loss. Eleven years you've been away from your family other than the ocassional visit. Now you're on your own. You are trying to replace companionship with family. A year from now you'll be yearning for companship because you family has their own life, especially since you've been gone. Where do you think you'll have a greater chance of finding a new companion? It would be in TV, where you're surrounded by by many, many seniors your own aqe looking to meet someone. Not back in Virginia where your family has their life and people are doing the hustle and bustle of going to work and back. I predict you'll be back in 3 years if not sooner. Do what you feel is best, but in the end you can never go home.

[manaboutown]

In my case "home" is a time as well as a place. I have been to most of my high school reunions, own a business in the city in which I grew up and fly over there several times a year. Yet it is no longer "home" to me. Where I live now is.

My adult children lead lives of their own and have relocated a few times. My son just moved to a lovely small town, Sandpoint, Idaho, with his wife and four children - but it is in Northern Idaho! Brrr!!! I have never been a winter person and while I have come to love his new town in summer I will stick to the southern climes in winter.

[redwitch]

I'm saddened, both for your loss and for our loss when you leave. I'm sorry to hear of your husband's death. He truly was a nice man.

Do what is best for you. You can always move back here if you change your mind. I've had a couple of friends do that but neither regretted moving back home for a while before returning.

Hugs

[Happinow]

I'm so sorry you lost your husband. As we age, we can't help but to think of what we would do if we lost our spouse. I have pondered that question a few times. Moving back up North would mean cold, snow, ice, rain and little sunshine. That's the main reason we moved here. However, I'm sure a feeling of emptiness takes over when you lose someone you love. All of my family lives back home and while being with them would certainly help for a while, the lifestyle (or lack thereof) would eventually have me back to warmer climate.

I guess you just don't know until you are faced with that decision to make.

I wish you the very best....and remember...you can always go home but you can always come back here too!! No decision is final....

[Miles42]

we are at the same point, health issues have destroyed any and all we have enjoyed about the Villages. Leaving in the Spring

[graciegirl]

I remember when you were sewing draperies for your house. I am very sorry for your loss. I hope you find the right place to continue with your life but you can always return.

Peace and God Speed.

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/contractors-services-91/sewing-machine-repair-27197/#post246766

[Barefoot]

Samhass, I am deeply sorry for your loss. Your husband was a wonderful man and I know you will miss him.
Selling your large home makes sense to me. It's a beautiful house and should sell very quickly.
As far as returning north, please do whatever your heart tells you.
I hope your dogs bring you comfort during this difficult time.

Big hug and love and courage
Bare

[samhass]

Thank you, ladies.

[CFrance]

I think you are right, samhass, it's time now to be with your family. You have history with them that you don't have here in TV. As others have said, you can always reverse the decision, or come back for the winters. I've also pondered what I would do in your situation. You are lucky; our family is very small and placed far and wide. I think I would go somewhere still warm and foster more dogs. But if family were all in one place, I too would feel the pull to go back home to them and to the woods you obviously love and miss.

I'm so sorry for your loss. Take care and good luck to you.

[Abby10]

As I re-read this thread, samhass, I can't help but think, what do you have to lose? If things don't play out up north as you expect, it sounds like you will have lots of well wishers welcoming you back home to TV. :smiley:

[samhass]

I know one person who moved "home" and it was not what they expected. I have also seen a lot of posts that point out some problems. I think I might rent in the "home" area for a little time before devising to move back.

I have a home there.

[pauld315]

Good luck with your move and enjoy your family !

[Bigben007]

I understand exactly what you are saying. One day I told my friend here I was going "home" for a visit, she said this is your home. I said "no it isnt Pittsburgh will always be home." Fortunately my daughter lives there and I go home at least 4 times a year, if the is where your comfort is, go home.

[samhass]

Ha..Pa calls to both of us. It is a wonderful state.

[samhass]

Abby, You are right. I can return if home is not all I think it will be.

[manaboutown]

In our hearts we all hold a home. I hope the OP realizes hers. I know I have mine.

[Schaumburger]

Abby, You are right. I can return if home is not all I think it will be.

Best of luck to you, and I hope you find peace and comfort at home. TV will always be here should you decide at some point to return.

[Barefoot]

Abby, You are right. I can return if home is not all I think it will be.Follow your heart; it won't lead you astray. I think you've always missed your home in the woods.
And if you find that you want to get a smaller place in The Villages in years to come, your heart will tell you that too.

[Abby10]

Abby, You are right. I can return if home is not all I think it will be.

One last thing, samhass, I hope you will stay in touch with us here on TOTV, if you so desire. It would be nice to hear about your transition and how it all goes. I'm sure many of us will be in the same position some day and it's great to hear from others who have already experienced these life changes. Wishing you all the best.

[TimeForChange]

I am so sorry for the loss of your husband. This is my home and they will take me out of my home someday in a horizontal position. In 50 years of marriage we have lived in four States. I have no desire to go back to any of them.

[samhass]

I am wishing I had gone north last week. My house here is on the market, and while it looks good now, I wonder if it will look the same next week. Here is the before Irma video.
629 Ternberry Forest Dr., The Villages, FL (http://www.virtualtoursbyphoenix.com/4845792.htm)

[samhass]

Barefoot..you know me. I have always missed it. And I love the seasons. I can always escape in Feb, return in March, and winter will be its last legs. Most importantly, my family is there. I am really missing my Hu, and at this point, family is what I need.

[Abby10]

I am wishing I had gone north last week. My house here is on the market, and while it looks good now, I wonder if it will look the same next week. Here is the before Irma video.
629 Ternberry Forest Dr., The Villages, FL (http://www.virtualtoursbyphoenix.com/4845792.htm)

You must have the most beautiful home in The Villages - it is absolutely stunning! Praying that Irma will inflict no damage and that the sale of your house goes swiftly and smoothly. Praying for safety for all of you good folks in TV.

[Barefoot]

Barefoot..you know me. I have always missed it. And I love the seasons. I can always escape in Feb, return in March, and winter will be its last legs. Most importantly, my family is there. I am really missing my Hu, and at this point, family is what I need.I doubt you'd want to be in your huge home on Ternberry Forest Drive by yourself.
Family is what you need right now - I understand and applaud your choice.
You are going back to your home in the woods to heal. I hope your dogs bring you some comfort as you grieve.
You were very close to your husband and must miss him terribly. You had a lot of great times together.
Enjoy the seasons. You can always come back to TV for the bad-weather months, and you have friends here.
Love and hugs to you as you go through this difficult time.

[Henryk]

My dear lady, I don't know you but I am deeply touched by your story and your friends' words. Your friends remind me of this from L. Frank Baum (The Wizard of Oz) — 'A heart is not judged by how much you love; but by how much you are loved by others.' It is clear your friends love you and your husband very much. I pray you find the comfort you seek.

Your home is beautiful. I hope it sells soon.

[Blessed2BNTV]

I am wishing I had gone north last week. My house here is on the market, and while it looks good now, I wonder if it will look the same next week. Here is the before Irma video.
629 Ternberry Forest Dr., The Villages, FL (http://www.virtualtoursbyphoenix.com/4845792.htm)

Your home is stunning and beautifully decorated. I love the warm tones used in your home.

It won't be on the market long.

[samhass]

Thanks to all of you. My home has never been filled with anything but love. It has good mojo. It has been a place where friends could gather and relax in comfort..never afraid if they spill a glass of wine. This house has been lived in and loved in. Our family and friends have always enjoyed being here and we have been thrilled to have them here. The decor is not fancy..it is homey and comfy. This is a people house. It is just not the same for me since my favorite person on earth is gone. He was my home, and life will never be the same again. Hubert H Hassinger..you were the best man I have ever known and I will love you forever.

[Brandy4]

Me too - can't wait!

[Nucky]

:pray:samhass, we wish you all the best and am sorry for your loss. Take Care. :pray: