LIVING ON THE EDGE

Living on the edge has many meanings.

For some, it might mean sky diving or white water rafting. For others, a visit to a casino or trying the CN Tower’s EdgeWalk.

For Terry and I these days, it means crashing into waves in the cold Pacific Ocean and cycling along the coastline as darkness approaches here in California.

But for my sister-in-law Karen and so many others, living on the edge means something much more profound. It means coming to grips with the reality of giving up your home.

I’m no sure if our visit precipitated her decision but a few days ago, Karen decided to walk away from her house in Highland (about sixty miles inland from LA) and move to a rental unit before retiring next May to her cottage/ mobile home here in Carlsbad. As her mortgage far exceeds the value of her home, it seems logical to make the decision that so many other Americans have been forced into in these last few years. Also, new tax laws that come into effect in January make this the best time to make this move.

Indeed, our visit to California has taken a dramatic turn and last weekend, we returned to Highland to help Karen pack her belongings, rent a truck and move some of her furniture to her cottage. Driving a seventeen foot U Haul down busy Interstates 10 , 15 and 78 was the last thing I could ever have imagined doing on this holiday.

I’m still trying to get my head around giving up a house, once valued at $190,000, to the mortgage holder. How can Karen just pack up and leave like this? The mortgage companies call it a voluntary surrender. I call it crushingly sad.

I know that the emotional support that Terry can give her sister at this difficult time is more important than I can ever imagine.

I’m also realizing that this holiday is all about serving others, something that is much more satisfying than serving yourself at one of the endless buffets here in Obama country.

And after all, the happiness you create for yourself may last for a few hours. The happiness you give to others may last a lifetime.