I am excited & happy for you that you are escaping.

I'm happy for you. Happy Birthday anyway.

I went through a significant amount of sadness over leaving where I was, I cried a bunch. But once I was en-route, I wasn't sad anymore. I think about what and whom I left behind and that makes me sad for a few minutes but I also know I am better off than where I was and would be really depressed if I was still there.

You'll get through this. Maybe get a better deal than you expect.

You’ll be happy to wake up in your new home after all of this.
🌻🎂🌻

Change is hard. You take care of yourself for you are one of the good ones.
☮️

Your are facing a major life change, both ending and beginning. It's okay to mourn the old, but at the same time look forward to the new. 🫂

Especially ones this complex.

Happy birthday anyway, good luck getting sold quickly and a quick move done, so you can start enjoying life as is - good and right.

NEXT ADVENTURE!

Don't take their first offer!

Happy Birthday!

Enjoy your new adventure. 🎂🤗

You mentioned leaving the country. That's a pretty big jump! No wonder you are conflicted. Go with the hope, the excitement, and all that goes with a new start. The dread, sense of loss, and general sadness is to be expected, especially since more than your house is gone. We've lost our great nation.
Here's to you!

But I envy you being able to flee.

Wish we had the financial resources.

There are 75+ million that share those exact emotions.............What has gone on these past 45+ years is mind boggling, and especially what we have witnessed these past ten years is un-fathomable........Like a decade of living one's worst nightmare that doesn't end, and is continuing daily.....with no ending in sight..............

In December of 1967 I had my VW Bug loaded and was ready to leave for Canada, but didn't..........I think of that often these days......

I often wonder if these "new" Republican Politicians, and their MAGAot voters have children, grand children, or just don't care about anything but themselves...............It is 100% the later,..................

Lincoln once said: The Statesman worries about the next generation, a Politician only about the next election.........

Obviously, you are stronger than you think. I'd be behind the sofa at this point. Seriously, good for you for making all the necessary life changes, including the ones we don't have a choice about. Get through today and the next several. You probably won't want to celebrate for a few days. But, dang, you're strong. Here's to your future and all the adventures it has. Happy Birthday along the way. Just know that I'm impressed with your strength and stamina and willingness to keep living instead of giving up.

Please know that your DU family is wishing you all the best as you begin this new chapter. My birthday wish for you is that it be filled with love, joy, laughter, and blessuings. Please take good care of yourself.

Over 50 years there even after the death of my husband. All 7 of the kids were raised there. They all live in different states as adults.
My son and his wife bought a house for me 5 minutes from their home, saying I no longer needed a 5 bedroom house on over 3 acres to take care of. I know how hard it is to leave all those memories and a home you love. But sometimes it ends up being okay. Look for new places to visit and new friends to make and know that the old friends that are still alive are only a phone call away. Some of mine have even decided to make their vacation one at my new home. Take care.

I die a thousand deaths every time I have to put down a pet, and grieve for months and months.

That is nothing compared to what you are going through.........NOTHING..............

I suspect you are strong and not a quitter, and have a huge hole in your soul having to throw in the towel.........l

My heart is with you SF

There are easily Tens Of Millions, sharing your pain......

Mourn the losses and embrace the gains - the new memories, the new experiences - a new house becoming your home.

I hope you are planning to keep us posted about your new life.

and your son has no clue in the world how wrenching it is to let go of the main part of your life and leap into the unknown when you're over 70. It doesn't matter that the house is too big and hard to clean or that significant health problems mean we need help available. It's letting go of our lives a step at a time and we know it.

I did that 3 years ago. I needed to let go of a life that didn't fit me any more. That didn't make it any easier and it certainly didn't make that "new beginning" bullshit younger people spew at us fit in the least. We're starting to wind things up and we know it.

After 3 years, I'm getting used to the downsizing. I always knew it was necessary, I just didn't like it much.

Your son doesn't understand any of this, how could he? You do get to tell him to knock it off, there's only so much clueless cheer a person can be expected to take.

Although for now, I am not going anywhere. I have eight cats, somehow (long story), and I know the day will come when I won't be able to care for a big house and yard.
My neighbors are always taking advantage of my property; just yesterday, one idiot neighbor actually mowed down my tiger lilies and ruined my day yesterday and today, and probably until I can confront him and ask him why.

But honestly, I know how you feel; even with its negatives, it's still your home. I would grieve and be depressed as well. I have also lived out of the country and maintain a childhood home in another country. I do see myself moving there when I do retire. All the questions are still unanswered about that but just want to say that when you get to where you are going it is a different perspective. I think I have been homesick my whole life. For other people I have known, people who have passed, for my younger years, and so on. But it will be easier once this hard complicated part of relocation unfolds and you are in a new place. I wish you a safe transition and look forward to hearing your tales of the transition to one of life's largest stressors. Many hugs.....
on edit: Happy Birthday my friend!