My mom passes away in May 2012. The home she lived in was purchased by my parents in 1965. It was a wonderful place to grow up, surrounded by cherry orchards and such. It is now in the heart of what is known as the silicone valley. After mom passed, my older brother (her executor) had the house fixed up and sold. I considered purchasing it but it really didn't meet my needs. I had moved away, my children are adults now, and I really didn't need the place, so I decided not to purchase it. None of my siblings wanted the house either. Per mom's instructions, after her passing we all met at the house, drew numbers and began taking turns taking her stuff. It was a blast, it was really funny some of the things that were important to us. One of my brothers got mom's skillet, which she used to cook up many a dinner. We were all jealous, but we laughed. My first pick was a few ceramic toys that had been on someones birthday cake many years ago and had remained on the shelf above the stove ever since. At the end of the day, whatever of value that was left was donated. If it was not of value, it was discarded. As I left the house that day there was joy, but also some sadness over that fact that the family home of 48 years would soon be gone. My brother had the house gutted, repainted, the floors redone, and all necessary repairs done. Mom had wanted us all to meet together at the house one last time before it passed to another owner, so on the weekend before the house transferred, we all "went home." (I'm one of eight kids). I thought it would be very emotional walking through the house, but it was just the opposite. With the house empty, I saw it for what it was, just a house. It's the people and the things acquired over the years that made it a home. I walked away with no regrets for having not purchased it. Mom had a trust, and we had met yearly for many years to discuss it, so there were no disagreements and things proceeded smoothly. Since the house was in silicone valley (Santa Clara), it sold immediately and I received my share on Thanksgiving day. I never think of the house, but I think of my mom every day.
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