Closing Time

by heavenstobetty, posted in Paradise California Camp Fire

It seems that lately, whenever I’m flooded with emotional situations, I suddenly start thinking in song lyrics from my growing-up years. The song below is the one that is currently stuck in my head.

Closing Time (song by Semisonic) lyrics

Closing time, open all the doors
And let you out into the world
Closing time, turn all of the lights on
Over every boy and every girl

Closing time, one last call for alcohol
So, finish your whiskey or beer
Closing time, you don’t have to go home
But you can’t stay here

I know who I want to take me home
I know who I want to take me home
I know who I want to take me home
Take me home

Closing time, time for you to go out
To the places you will be from
Closing time, this room won’t be open
Till your brothers or your sisters come

So, gather up your jackets, move it to the exits
I hope you have found a friend
Closing time, every new beginning
Comes from some other beginning’s end, yeah

I know who I want to take me home
I know who I want to take me home
I know who I want to take me home
Take me home

Closing time, time for you to go out
To the places you will be from

I know who I want to take me home
I know who I want to take me home
I know who I want to take me home
Take me home

I know who I want to take me home
I know who I want to take me home
I know who I want to take me home
Take me home

Closing time, every new beginning
Comes from some other beginning’s end

We closed escrow on our property in Paradise, California on Monday (5/4/21). For anyone unfamiliar with the term “closing escrow” it means that the sale of the property was finalized and ownership has been transferred to the new owners. It was the property where our house used to be before the Camp Fire (11/08/18). Of course, it didn’t look like the feature image on this post anymore. In the past 2 and 1/2 years, it has become overgrown with weeds that need to be cleaned up. We even got a letter (or two) from the Paradise Fire Department notifying us that we needed to clean up all the weeds on the property to avoid fines.

family Christmas photo 2017

My heart breaks that I cannot return to the place my heart desires. Though there are many rebuilding the ridge, it is not the same as it was. It is so painful for me to see it the way it is now. I cannot seem to shake the sadness of the loss of the way it used to be. Besides all the emotional stuff, there are the literal weeds/brush/bushes that need to be cleaned up. And then we got some tax advice that if we sold the property before 11/08/21 we wouldn’t have to pay capital gains, but if we sold the property after 11/08/21 we would have to pay capital gains. So, instead of holding on, or rebuilding, we’ve decided to let go. Letting go is hard. This was one of the most difficult decisions I’ve made in my life so far. I am probably thinking in song lyrics because I just don’t have the words…

in loving memory of the way it was before the Camp Fire 11.08.18, the day that changed everything

“Closing time, every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.”

19 thoughts on “Closing Time”

    1. My parents got this info from 2 sources: their tax preparation professional and their financial planner. Apparently, if you sell your Paradise property before 11/08/21 your property is still considered a residential property and after that date it will be considered an investment property. When selling an investment property you have to pay capital gains taxes that do not apply to residential properties. I am not sure if this applies to all Paradise properties or just Paradise properties with no buildings on them. Both my parents property and our property did not have any buildings/structures on them. All of this information is of course coming from me, second hand, so I would strongly encourage you to consult someone who actually knows what they’re talking about to double check.
      Hope you are doing well!

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  6. Peace to your heart my friend. Such a traumatic loss and tragedy for you all. The picture of the 5 of y’all in front of the paradise sign is so so sweet . 💕😍. May the Lord continue to comfort your hearts and light your path.

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  7. When I read the title to this post, I was humming the song in my head although I forgot the lyrics.
    What your family went through was scary and devastating. I can’t even imagine how it feels to see weeds growing where your house used to stand. Thank you for sharing your story and pictures. Praying that your new ventures are filled with joy, peace, love, and success. Love the last picture, caption, and lyric to end your post.

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