My husband and I recently bought a little cottage on a small lake. Fortunately for us, the previous owner was both generous and skilled in the industrial arts. He put a new roof on for us and installed a new wood floor in the guest room. He also took care of many small repairs throughout the house because he really wanted us to be happy with it.
The last time we were at the cottage before the ownership transfer, the seller asked us if we 
were going to keep it as a cottage or turn it into a home. I think he was really trying to find out if we were going to use it as a relaxing weekend retreat or did we plan to live there full-time. Turning it into a primary home would require many significant changes. He was relieved, it seemed, that we plan to keep it a cottage.
I think his heart was having a hard time letting go.
You see, the cottage has been in his family since the seller’s Dad bought it in 1960. Many happy memories were created by four generations of the same family. But, life being what it is, the youngest generation has many interests away from the cottage that fill their weekends. The cottage was used just four times last year. The family made the hard decision to sell. One of the reasons the seller wanted us to have it was because we have small grandkids and he really wanted a family to enjoy it the way his family had over the years.
Sure, we are going to make some changes. We plan to update the bathroom and do a little painting. We are getting new kitchen appliances and adding windows to the porch. But, we are leaving the beautiful wood floors, worn though they are. We want to accent the old wainscoting, not tear it out. I find the nails coming through the old roof planks a gentle reminder of days gone by. The old sundial that marks the location of the well was added by the seller’s grandmother; we gladly will leave it as is. I love the antique kitchenware left behind as much as our view of the lake. The “Beach” sign made by the seller’s daughter and the little lighthouse by the door adds just as much charm as the beautiful doors themselves, with their crystal doorknobs and skeleton keys.
The character and history of the cottage made it feel like a place we want to be. The kindness of the seller and the sentimental stories he shared reminded us how important it is to honor that as we create the next chapter in its history.
