Welcome to my Journey
Have you ever said, “I’m going to pack my bags and move”? Well I did just that! My family and I moved to a new state far far away. Of course it didn’t happen overnight and not for nothing, there were reasons for the move, two of them, my grandchildren. A year ago June, they moved when our landlord said we have 60 days to move, he was giving the house to his son for a graduation present (nice huh). Well my son decided he was done with California and took a new job in Tennessee. It was the saddest day of my life. We had all been living in a duplex (each had our own homes but connected), since my oldest grandchild was born. It was delightful having full access to the kids. I helped when they needed it, like when my oldest grandchild was a newborn, I’d take him every Friday night so my daughter-in-law and son could get at least one good nights rest. Or for them to go out for a date night. It was a win-win situation!
I was sad at their leaving and wanted to live close to them but didn’t know if I’d like Tennessee. Their leaving made me realize how lonely I felt without the grand kids being around to hug and snuggle, to watch as they grow up. Full disclosure, I had family still in California but my heart was broken and I longed to be by the kids. They bring me great joy and I didn’t want them to have memories of me like I had of my grandma, like three memories to be exact, because she lived in a different state and my parents couldn’t afford to travel, they did all they could to manage the house, vacations weren’t an expense they could easily manage. I didn’t like that we would be miles away and only to be seen occasionally, just wouldn’t work for me. I want them to know me, to know that I cherish them and that they are a blessing. I wanted them to know that I chose to leave behind everything I knew and step out in faith and move to be by them. So I could watch them grow up into the young man and woman they one day will become.
Problem was my sister and her family would be left in California alone, which was a devastating thought for both of us. My decision to move was going to be pushed out a few years so I could plan, visiting often so I can get to know the area better and work on her to move too. But that isn’t what happened because in December 2017, I had a heart scare which landed me in the ICU for three days and basically sped up my plans to move. I guess when you have a scare like that you realize how precious life is. After the fear subsided I realized I didn’t want to wait a couple of years, heck I may not have a couple left. So I moved my plans up and to my delight my sister and her family decided moving was what they wanted to do too. So that’s what we all did, we moved to Tennessee, May 2018.
It’s been almost three months in this wonderful new state and I have asked myself, “what did I do?” a couple of times. Don’t get me wrong, I moved here willingly and purposefully, it’s just a big change. Moving to a new state hasn’t been as easy as I thought it would be, for any of us. With the culture shock I’m experiencing I think getting used to the new way of life here in Tennessee just might take some time.
One of the things I’ll have to get used to is the weather. Do you know how much it rains here? I’ll tell you, EVERYDAY! Lately, I’ve experienced thunder, lightening and torrential rain that is here one minute then gone the next. Making for some crazy weather that I really don’t want to be caught in (which I have been multiple times). My niece told me that this is the “wet season” who knew? I hail from California where the weather is pretty consistent and seldom do you experience a torrential downpour coming out of nowhere. And let’s not forget the humidity, it’s off the charts. So much so I find fixing my hair useless, because as soon as I walk out the door my hair looks like Sideshow Bob or Doc Brown’s (I know, an old reference but Google it if you don’t know).
A pleasant surprise living here is how nice people are here. My sister and I were caught in one of the downpours and someone stopped, jumped out of their car and helped us load our groceries in the car. Just because she thought we could use the help. I guess our fish out of water look we both must have had on our face was our giveaway. And that wasn’t the only time we’ve experienced someone going out of their way to help (something I rarely saw in California). You truly cannot have too many manners.
So I’ve been job hunting for one that will provide work-life balance and lets me pay the bills. I’ve been told the job market is full and robust and should find a job quickly. And after a month of putting my resume out there I have accepted a job. So no more taking it easy, watching game shows and driving my sister around (she is hesitant in getting out there).
Well enough for now.
Goodnight my friends…