It's a bitter-sweet moment as Barbara Stress-Claytor looks around the house she hasn't been inside for 20 years.
"There's a lot of memories here," she said. "My dad was a good man."
It's the houseshe remembers as a kid.
The family photos haven't been moved for decades. The phone is still plugged into its jack.
Her father Albert's collections and portraits have all remained untouched.
"It would have been easier to do it 20 years ago," she said.
"For the first time since he's died, I'm having to say goodbye."
That goodbye was delayed for so long because of a family disagreement.
Barbara's sister recently stopped paying taxes on the home, leaving it in the city's hands and in limbo.
After visiting Surrogate Court, Barbara got the go-ahead to go in and take back all her family's memories.
Getting back her family's stuff is a mission the ex-military wife takes seriously.
She drove 2,000 miles and waited half a month to settle this long-overdue business.
All that's left now is to load up the storage pod and head home.
I'm gonna pack all the boxes quick," she said. "I'll figure it all out!"
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