50+ Lifestyles

The Next Chapter of our Lives

By Mary Schricker Gemberling

“There is nothing permanent except change.”

………… Heraclitus

The past six months have been busy at the Gemberling house here in central Illinois. If you have followed my articles in this publication you know that in 2010 when Gary and I were dating, a fire destroyed his log home leaving only ashes in its wake. The cause of the fire was never determined, but fortunately no animals or people were in the home at the time. Gary was able to find something positive in the face of adversity, deciding it was an opportunity for us to move forward and begin a new life together. We built a new home, got married in our little country church, and have spent ten wonderful years here sharing our newfound blessings with family and friends.

Although it is difficult to admit, we are aging, and the size of our home as well as the demand of the surrounding acreage has become more of a challenge. We had hoped to stay here another few years, but this spring a housing shortage prompted by the Pandemic suggested it was an opportune time to sell. In May we made the decision to list with a recommended Realtor who was encouraged by the amenities that both our location and home had to offer.

I put on my ‘Realtor Hat’ and tried to look at the home from the view of a prospective buyer, and we immediately went to work sprucing up any neglected areas both inside and out. In order to get a jump on a potentially quick sale, we began sorting, packing and labeling items that were not frequently used. Gary began in his shop and I in the basement. With an abundance of rain, keeping the house looking good both inside and out proved to be more of a challenge than we thought.

We had multiple showings with what appeared to be interested buyers but still no offers by early August. Just when we were beginning to think that we might be staying here a few more years after all, our Realtor showed up with an offer. Not only had someone fallen in love with our house and presented a great offer, they wanted to buy all our furniture too! As soon as the offer was signed, we began a whirlwind of scheduling inspections, packing our remaining possessions, and finding both a mover and long term storage, We started early most days, took few breaks, and worked until dark. Thankfully a couple of pre-planned vacations with friends and family gave us a much needed distraction. Our movers picked up all of our packed boxes about two weeks prior to our closing. After that we moved personal items to the RV and car and gave the house a thorough cleaning.
On October 8 the big day finally arrived! We drove out of the lane for the last time in complete silence. It was not the time for conversation; but rather for quiet reflection of the years spent in this place where two people grasped a second chance at life. As we pulled onto the highway, our heads told us this was the right thing to do; our hearts not so much!

The million dollar question that people keep asking is, “Where are you going?” Our answer: “We’re not yet sure!” But we do have an interim plan. For about five weeks we plan on camping in our RV; if the weather turns too cold we will find an extended stay hotel. On November 10 we are flying to our condo in Florida where, other than a brief flight home for Christmas, we will stay until April. During that time we will begin the conversation about the next chapter of our lives where we will relocate and make new memories. What we both know is that no matter where we land, we will approach our future years with the same sense of adventure that we have embraced thus far with the support of family, the camaraderie of friends, and the strength of our faith to guide us along the way.

“Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past and present are certain to miss the future.”

……………. John F. Kennedy

Mary, a former educator and Seniors Real Estate Specialist is the author of four books: The West End Kid, A Labor of Love, Hotel Blackhawk:
A Century of Elegance, and Ebenezer United Methodist Church; 150 Years of Resiliency.