Why We Gave Away Our Home
Sometimes the things we believe are holding our families together really aren't. Need proof? Let me share our story. My family is a fairly typical American foursome: My wife, Joan, and I live in Atlanta with our two teenagers, Hannah, 17, Joseph, 15, and two dogs. The kids play baseball and volleyball, and we like to ride bikes and take vacations together. Financially, we have more than most -- as a result of hard work, good education, and career luck.
Ten years ago, we moved into our dream house -- a spacious, three-story historic home -- thinking it would bring us the joy we desired. It was a beautiful place, but as our children grew up, our sense of togetherness began to fade away. In the big dream house, we scattered in different directions. When we sat down at dinner, our conversations centered more often on to-do lists than on anything meaningful. On weekends, as we drove from activity to activity, the TV in the back seat kept the kids entertained and our family from connecting. Was money the problem? Probably not. But it certainly wasn't making our lives any richer. So we did something audacious. Nuts, really.
One day when Hannah was 14, she became upset about the disparities between the world's haves and the have-nots. She challenged us to be "a family that makes a difference in the world, even if it's a small difference." Joan asked her, "What are you willing to sacrifice? Your house? Your room?" Hannah said yes to both. After talking it over as a family, we decided to sell our house and move to one that was half its size and price --and donate the difference to charity.
There I go , looking for the truth in the situation, don't you just hate it? If you disagree with me just talk behind my back, don't feel like explaining anything today.
All due respect to you Ms. C(see),