A post of significance.

[CrystalViolet]

I recently have moved. The place I was living in was basically falling apart around the residences ears. Things weren't being maintained, toilets were blocking, pigeons were nesting on the top floor. Residents being kicked out because they had the cheek to complain. New neighbours moving in that would party all night, and threaten other residents with knifes. The psychopathic landlord was pulling stunts with the rent. It was the last straw when she finally managed to cheat me out of a week's rent.
The thing is my neighbours were fantastic. Like family, we were that close. You know how bad situations have a way of binding people closer, and I fitted in like a piece of a puzzle, but it all got too much for me.
I visited them today, because I miss them like mad, and we were all back together out in the common courtyard, having drinks like old times. I couldn't believe how much worse the place had got in just a month.
Going home though, I couldn't believe how much my heart was breaking. I loved that place (or rather I loved the people). A lot had moved on like I had though.
When I moved, I was just relieved, but I never expected the wave of sadness after visiting. Especially when one friend said to me as I was leaving "you had to go, chook, you suffered more than anyone here, because you just take on everyone else's troubles."
I just had to share tonight, as sharing lessens burdens. I miss my boys very much though. Why do I have to keep leaving the people I care about?

 

[INTJMom]

I was a landlord for a few years, and I know exactly what you're talking about. (However, I was a good landlord. I never cheated anyone... rather I was the one who always got cheated.) But my point is that when we bought the place... 6 units... it was a tightly knit group of people... most of whom had lived there for years.

There was an elderly mom and dad in one apartment, and their two sons in 2 of the other apartments with their wives and children. In two of the other apartments was a married couple who sort of helped look after the place, and a single woman who had lived there for over 15 years. These people regularly hung out together, had cookouts together and just sat outside and smoked and chatted.

It was really sad to watch the deterioration of that wonderful microcosm when one of the sons cheated on his wife and broke up the family... it fell like Dominoes after that. The 3 related families left. And you're right, it is really sad. The grief of the other tenants was profound.

I understand why you feel the way you do, and I'm sorry for your grief. I will say this though... I think what you had was special. I don't think you can find it everywhere you go. That makes it all the more worth the grieving of its loss. I'm sorry for your pain.

 

[CrystalViolet]

I was lucky. I never could explain to other friends, why I stayed so long. Only the people lived there understood, and close friends who visited me.