Happy 1st Anniversary!
A year ago, we moved. We moved from the Midwest to the West Coast. From a spacious home to a home a quarter of the size. From the familiar to the unknown. From being a business owner to a desperate housewife. From having a strong support group to not having any friends. From feeling settled to starting over. It was more than a move: we uprooted.
I was not happy about the move. Can you tell? I wanted so badly to be excited about it. After all, California is the best place to be, right? But, I wasn't. I loved the Midwest. Yes, there's electricity and running water. It was my home for many years. I missed my friends and family. I missed my business and colleagues. I missed how it spoiled me. I even missed the extreme weather there.
So, one day during our weekly trip to the local library's story time, I came across this book by Leslie Levine called Will This Place Ever Feel Like Home? I had to take it home with me. The first chapter was titled "Uprooting: A Major Upheaval." Levine said in this chapter that "…moving is an immensely traumatic experience." It is so true, but I already knew that. I was going through that. My whole life was disrupted, I thought. I was forced to say good-bye, yet was expected to embrace the unknown. Part of me was so angry and sad, but I told myself that I had to get my family settled in and make this a home. Having my mom and dad around and my sister and brother-in-law living nearby helped tremendously. I was thankful. But I needed more. I was looking in this book for help. And then this sentence caught my attention, "To be rooted is perhaps the most important and least recognized need of the human soul."
Tomorrow is our one year anniversary in this new home. I can happily say that we've settled in. Maybe not rooted quite yet, but settled. We have made this new town our community. The kids are happy at their new school, my husband loves his job, we have great neighbors, and I've made some wonderful friends.
No, we have not unpacked all 188 boxes, nor have I found my go-to hairstylist, but we're getting there.
Is their a chapter that talks about Ye Ye's and Nano's not having instant access to family? That's the one I'm interested in reading. I enjoyed reading your thoughts Winnie we love you guys and are very happy that you are on the way to being rooted, Root's should always be rooted!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jerry. Yes, stay tuned for the chapter on Ye Ye and Nano! Oh, we need to get on Google Chat soon.
ReplyDeleteVery touching. I had to get a tissue after reading this one. Miss you guys terribly! Yet it's good to hear you're settling in there. It seems like a fun place to live, and the weather....
ReplyDeleteTime flies... but it feels longer than 1 year since you have moved. I am sure you don't miss the KS weather...come on....
ReplyDeleteIt feels like ages since you left. You sure you miss the extreme weather in KS? We have 2 months of extreme heat and it's still not over yet... i would trade with you.
ReplyDeleteThe pastor in our church said last Saturday "According to survey, people in their 50s are the happiest bunch....not because of they're financially established, its because they feel they belong. Belong to somewhere, belong to some people and being recognized. How true. I am getting there. Winnie, you know you will always belong to the Midwest gang here no matter how far you moved.
ReplyDeleteAw, that was such a moving piece! I don't even live in the Midwest and I miss you and your family so much already! I'm glad to hear that you guys are settling in... All the best =)
ReplyDeleteI just read this post, Winnie, and oh 'tis true, 'tis true. I never thought it would be this hard.
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