Meaning: This quote by Penelope Lively reflects the emotional and practical challenges of having to clear out and leave behind family homes that hold deep personal significance. The act of emptying a family home can be a profound and poignant experience, as it involves confronting the passage of time, the memories associated with the space, and the inevitability of change.

In the first part of the quote, Lively mentions the task of emptying her grandmother's house, a place that had been a central fixture in her family's life since 1923. This suggests a connection to multiple generations and a rich history that is intertwined with the physical space of the home. The process of clearing out such a home involves not only the physical labor of sorting through belongings but also the emotional weight of bidding farewell to a place that holds cherished memories and familial ties.

The second part of the quote refers to Lively's own country home, which she and her family had inhabited for over two decades. This represents a more personal and immediate connection to a place that has served as a backdrop for the experiences and milestones of her own life and that of her family. The duration of their residency in the country home underscores the depth of attachment and the significance of the home as a repository of their shared history.

The act of emptying these homes can evoke a range of emotions, from nostalgia and sentimentality to a sense of loss and the recognition of impermanence. It requires coming to terms with the transience of life and the inevitability of change, as well as making decisions about what to keep, what to discard, and what to pass on to others. This process can be emotionally taxing, as it involves confronting the material remnants of the past while also navigating the complexities of familial ties and personal identity.

Furthermore, the act of emptying a family home can prompt reflection on the nature of possessions and the ways in which physical objects are imbued with meaning and significance. It raises questions about the value we attach to material belongings, the role of memory in shaping our relationship to objects, and the ways in which the past continues to resonate in the present through the tangible traces it leaves behind.

Overall, Lively's quote encapsulates the profound and multifaceted experience of emptying family homes, highlighting the intersection of personal history, emotional resonance, and the tangible manifestations of memory within the physical spaces we inhabit. It invites contemplation on the enduring connections we forge with the places we call home and the complex emotions that accompany the process of letting go and moving forward.