Mortgage

​Wow.  I got a suggestion on something to write about.  It was taking out a mortgage. 
At first, I considered how I would “take it out.”  It involved lying in wait.  But then I got to thinking about our experience.
I was definitely not born with a silver spoon in my mouth.  My dad’s experience of superannuation was built on something before superannuation was what it is today.   He got 25 grand.  He figured it would last him until he was 77.  He lived to 97.  He made ends meet.  He was wise.
I guess both Merril and I were a part of the Great Australian Dream.  As Cat Stevens sang, “find a girl, settle down, if you want you can marry, look at me, I am old, but I’m happy.”  This getting old was not what I expected though.  For sure I will get weaker.  But I can also get stronger.  My choice.
Both Merril and I married later in life.  It was the first marriage for us both and we were both in our 50’s.  We both were paying off a home.  I will only refer to my experience.  The first home I bought was in Dale Street.  My bank managers name was Dale, so I thought I had a good chance of securing a loan.  It helped that when I went to him, he said, “I have been thinking about you and it is time.”
I got the loan and for a good bit of the time I had people with me who helped me pay it off quickly.  For a while though there was no one else.  I will never forget the joy I felt when I could afford to get a printer.  I reckon waiting for what is wanted often makes the joy greater.
Thing was, the place flooded.  It was upstairs downstairs and only the bottom level was affected.  The house was incredibly solid.  It just needed a hose out and a day later it was like nothing had happened.  I’ll never forget going to make a cup of tea and wondering why the kettle did not work, and looking out and seeing the road as a rushing waterway.
I decided I wanted a place that did not flood so I sold that and make more than 100% on it and moved to another place.  It had never flooded.  The person two doors down put in a new $30,000 floor.  Then it rained.  And rained and rained and rained.  I watched the water rise and rise.  The place flooded.  The next door neighbours on one side did not.  Mine was the last house in the street affected.  The neighbours $30,000 floor was a write off.
Then Merril and I got married.  We bought a home together in the same suburb but on a rise.  A great many people would go under before this place did.  We love it here.
It seems everyone’s path is unique but has similarities to many.  To me, having enough has always been my priority.  I have never been into accumulating wealth for wealth’s sake.  I really try to ensure that in whatever state I am in, to be content.  My needs have always been fairly simple.  If I have enough to do what I am obliged to do, and what I would like to do, I am a happy camper.