Up and Away

Pixar's new animated film Up is fantastic. It tells the tale of a widow who ties balloons to his house, so that he could fly it to the mythical Paradise Falls, to honour his late wife's life-long wish. I loved the metaphor of the house being a burden of one's life memories. At some point, one has to learn to let go and start anew.

The past year represented a big change for my family with Pa's death. While we were all affected, the biggest impact it had was on my mom, who was married to him for almost 35 years. The first few months were definitely a blur, but she's ready for change.

My mom is moving this summer. She's buying a condo and going to live with my aunt. I am so excited for many reasons, the two biggest being that a) my mom will have full-time companionship and b) a condo is more practical for her new life.

I thought a lot about my mom after I saw Up. I think the move will be very sad for her, but it will also be a new beginning.

I know I'll be emotional on the day of the move. My family has owned that house since 1993, when I was just 12. I still hear Pa when I visit. The sound of his slippers slowly stomping their way up and down the stairs, one careful step at a time. The click of the hallway light as Pa twists it to dim the lights before he went to bed; never fully going dark, because he needed to pee at night. The sound of my parent's door closing with a thud; never fully closing, because of the clothes hanger wedged across the top of the door.

While my mom's new place will be exciting, it will lack the familiar sounds. For that, I am sad. But I think everyone needs - and welcomes - the change.