94 Years Remembered in 94 Days-Post 11 (858-Just a house, but a HOME)

I know that it is just a house.   But it is so much more than that.   I hope I can explain this.

This house was built in 1915.   Our grandfather, E.A. Scott, had his eye on it from the time it was being built.  It went up for sale and he was able to buy it in 1918.   I don't know what month, but I always remember my mom saying that she was  born on 9th Street but raised at 858.   And Teresa and Bill were both born at 858.    Teresa was so proud of that.

Judy and I had the privilege of growing up at 858 14th St., Douglas, Arizona.    We had a great childhood and so many of our cousins spent time with us here with my mom and Teresa.

I lived at 858 for 18 years.  I went to ASU but returned every summer but my last to work at the smelter.    After I was divorced, I took my kids to Douglas every summer  I think we spent every summer there from 1979-87 (although the last few years it was just the kids as I was going to graduate school.).

After my mom died in 2002, the first time I went down after her funeral was over, it was so hard.   But I just needed a first.       It became much easier after that.

We tried to take Cameron down as much as possible.   One of my favorite stories about him and my mom and Teresa was his third birthday.   He absolutely wanted to go to Douglas for his birthday to spend it with Great and Tia.    So we went to Douglas over Labor Day weekend.    

Cameron had a bunch of presents on the table in the house, but he waited for it to be okay.  It still amazes me how much he connected with both of them from the first.

In 2010 when I moved back there, it was still home.   I had the "front" bedroom and Teresa was down stairs.   I loved living in that house with her for the five years I was there.   It is such a beautiful HOME with so many memories.

We had so many things go on through the years at 858.   I remember having two floats in the backyard for homecoming    And then the wonderful pool Johnny built for Judy and I.   And the four family reunions.   They were in 1977, 1992, 1998 and 2012 (Teresa's 90th birthday).  And then Kerri's kids from Gilbert came for their southeastern Arizona field trip and Teresa loved being there and telling about the house.

I know we have to sell it.  And that is probably going to be one of the hardest days of my life!  It is closure for the physical part of the wonderful life, but nothing can take away the memories.   I dread that day!!!