We moved to a different state exactly 1 year ago. I guess you could say it is our Illinois anniversary. I thought for a minute (a very short minute) that it was my first time to change states--but, no, it is my 4th, however this time I moved without my children--so that was a first for me. Leaving my children behind was hard. It is one thing for them to move away from me, but it's quite another for me to move away from them. I could not make them go with us, most likely because they are married adults now with their own families. I no longer had my special mom powers!
The 3rd time I moved and changed states my 3 children were all still living at home with us. We decided as a family to move to Ohio, my husband was offered a promotion and after much prayer, talking and tears we did it--we moved. To a state where everything was different--from the climate to the foods, to the people, to the lifestyles--everything. However, we had each other and eventually we settled in and made the best of it, it being no family, nothing familiar, loneliness, etc.
Over the next several years our daughter and 2 sons married and began to start their own little families. And after a while our house began to feel very empty, it began to feel too big, and it began to feel very lonely. We had actually started talking about downsizing when a job opportunity for my husband came up here in Illinois. Our soon to be new state. So once again after much prayer, talking and tears, we moved. Did we downsize while we had the chance? No, we did not, not really. I convinced my husband that I needed the space for my kids and grandkids to visit. And I did. I love having 3 extra bedrooms for guests, and whether it be friends or family--I've got the room. Much to my husband's dismay--he would have been perfectly happy with a townhouse or a condominium. Me? No way! I like having a bigger house than we need, I don't care if it's just the 2 of us now. I need the extra rooms. I think they give me hope. The hope of a visit. Hope that every so often they'll be filled up again if even for a little while. Filled up with laughter, talking, and noise. I like noise, it makes this house feel happy--happy with the anticipation of the arrival friends and family, food and fun.
Yes, just about everything has changed this year. I no longer live near my children or grandchildren. I live in a different house, in a different neighborhood, I have new friends, a new city, I drive a different car, I go to a different church--I have a new type of life now, one with just the 2 of us, and our dog. Our new little family learning to once again be completely dependent on God for everything--from our emotional needs to our physical needs to our spiritual needs. We're learning it all over again this year.
We are adjusting to being a couple, we are on an adventure, and for however long it lasts we will try hard to enjoy it, appreciate it, embrace it, be thankful for it and learn from this move in the process. I don't know how long we will live here, but I will strive to be content.
So, happy 1 year anniversary to us--in this new house, in this new city, in this new state, in this new phase of our lives.
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