Yesterday, my mom sold her house. It wasnt just any house. It was our family home in the Virginia exurbs of Washington DC. My parents bought this house for $50,000 in 1977. At the time it seemed like a mansion compared to the small Maryland apartment where they started out life together in the DC area. My parents were both immigrants; dad worked for the government, mom was then a homemaker. Though I was very young at the time, I remember the proud look on my dads face when we walked into this house. They were first-time homeowners, living the American dream. Me and my sisters grew up here, playing cowboys & Indians and Star Wars in the woods behind the house, collecting toads from the nearby creek, building tree forts and other outdoorsy activities that kids today don't seem to do anymore. I moved out at 18 but it was still home. Years later my wife and I held our wedding reception in the back yard. My father passed away in 2007 but my mom and niece stayed put.

Yesterday, my mom sold the house. She's retired, starting her next stage of her life in a new state with new adventures. My mom leaves Virginia tomorrow; we are leaving Friday.

I thought I would feel more sad or sentimental about the house. But in actually happy for my mom. At the end of the day, it's just a house. And if the Army and Foreign Service has taught us anything, it's change. Change comes with the career and lifestyle. It's unavoidable. And usually, change is good.

Good luck, mom!