SOLD

It's sold. 

I held the check in my hand, marveling that it had come to that. 

And then I cashed it. Well, deposited it. 

I told a friend it represents freedom. He warned me not to spend my freedom too fast. 

Of course, most of it's already spent, to pay the debts we owe so I can walk away clean. That's the freedom I crave. No debt. Nothing owed or borrowed. I'm not there yet, but I'm getting closer. 

It's hard starting over at mid-life. Under normal circumstances, I'd be content to slide toward retirement, putter around the house, maybe take up a new hobby in my empty nest. 

These aren't normal circumstances. I'm not a normal person. I'm not sure who I am, but I'm pleased I have the freedom to find out. 

And the house sale is a great leap toward that. One chapter closes, and another begins.