33 years ago my mom and dad bought 20 acres of land and a one bedroom brick home in Verdi, TX to call their own. My sister was 8, my brother was 6 and I was still in my mom's belly. The original home was 900 sq. feet, and a few years later my parents did a major renovation and added a second story, 3 bedrooms, and 2 bathrooms. I can imagine that was a big dream of theirs, and my mom always did an amazing job of keeping our home clean. She was a minimalist before it was popular ; ).

As I took these photos I bawled my eyes out. I couldn't stop thinking of all the memories we shared there especially with my dad. We all naturally want to hold on to anything of him since he's gone so saying goodbye to the land, the barn, the home that we spent the most time with him is extremely difficult. I really can't imagine how my mother feels.

The barn was where my father spent most of his time, which he welded and built himself.  He always owned horses and you could find him at the barn feeding or doing some sort of random task. I remember grumbling as a teenager when he would make me go out to the barn and feed. Growing up I could ride a horse any time I wanted, which I took for granted. My kids beg to ride a horse these days, and I so wish they could. Once as a child my dad came home and told me he had surprise. I walked outside with him, and he opened up his tailgate to a sweet baby calf sitting in the back. His mama couldn't nurse him anymore, so he brought him home for me to bottle feed. I named him Buster and raised him till he was huge (then we sold him). This is just one of many vivid memories I have. I know my brother, sister, cousins, aunts, uncles and friends all have their own memories which I love hearing. Like the time my uncle lit our pasture on fire with firecrackers on the 4th of July, or the time my dad caught my best friend and I sneaking out but still made us pancakes the next morning. I remember my mom sitting at the bottom of the staircase every week folding clothes, and then lining the stairs with neatly folded clothes for us to take to our rooms which we all ignored. Sorry mom. I remember when my dad would give my mom neck massages in the living room because she had knots from work or when he would wake in the middle of the night for another round of dinner. He had the most random sleep schedule and was up all the time at night.  If you shared a memory here I'd love to hear it.


It's odd thinking of not driving down this country road anymore. The road I know like the back of my hand. I can close my eyes and feel every turn. I'm not saying goodbye to Pleasanton all together because my sister, brother-in-law and nieces still live there. I'm glad a piece of my heart is still in South Texas, and I get to visit the country with my kids. I love when they get to experience life outside the city.

I know it's extremely hard for my mother to say goodbye to the home she's known for half her life. The home she shared so many memories with my dad in. She's also saying goodbye to the town and friends she's made over the last three decades, but she's ready for a change. I'm extremely proud of her, and I'm thankful she's moving close to me. Georgetown has become one of my favorite little cities, and I pray she finds friends, activities and a church she loves.

To the next homeowners I pray you share beautiful and joyous memories here. There is so much love on this land, and I am forever grateful.

"A boy moves on, takes a bride
And she stands faithful by his side
Through tears and sweat they build their home
And raise a family of their own

And they share joy
And they share pain
But through it all love remains"

- Love Remains, Hillary Scott & The Scott Family