I have two months to say "Good-Bye..."

There are many things to say good bye to. We are two months from moving to Vandenburg and already I've developed a sense of "I may never see or experience this again".

So many things in life are based on our location. Some things can go with us like our household goods and our car. But some things are not replaceable. We visit with family because they are here, we see old friends because they live near, we view scenery that is seen daily (for me that would be my entire life), and we enjoy being comfortable amongst everything that is so familiar.

For me this separation is almost painful, and will probably become a point of grief for a short time. The loss of the familiar is a very real loss. Although I went to college away from home, I was only hours away, and I knew that I would be coming back. This impending move is different. We are moving away to the unknown, with no plans of returning. I make it sound like we are on a one-way trip to the moon, but in some cases that is how it feels. We'll be back for visits, but not to stay. Eric understands and helps me slow down my personally operated emotional roller-coaster with many hugs.

I am trying not to let my emotions dictate how I'm spending my time in the next few months.
In fact many days I really don't give thoughts of moving much time. I go about my daily tasks and enjoy spending time doing the things Eric and I choose. And every once in awhile the idea broad sides me that this years birthday celebration for my nephew may be the last I see for a long while. Or that my parents will seem to age in springing steps between visits.

Back in June, when I was finishing up the school year a few of my students asked again why I would not be their art teacher the following year; we had talked at length about it so they already knew the answer, and yet I answered them again. With in my answer to them lies the entire truth to moving. Pulling my thoughts together I said to them "because that is where my family is moving, that is where I need to be."

At this point we are only a family of two, but that does not matter. With my family is where I have to be. I remind myself of this on occasion, when the need arises and I begin to pang for New York before we have left. My main purpose in life is to bring glory to God, and right now that means supporting my husband and helping to move our family of two to a new location. Parents will visit, old friends will be treasured, new friends will be made, new scenery will be enjoyed and the unknown will become familiar. Home will be home because at the end of the day, sometime in November, that will be where I get a hug from my husband.

My Aunt made the cross stitch "Home Sweet Home" for us when we were married and it currently hangs over the kitchen sink. Though I probably will be crying my eyes out, while standing in our new apartment in California, hanging that cross stitched hand work, I hope to remember to be smiling through my tears and giving thanks for the life we have been given and the joy of those we share it with.