We moved to a different state exactly 1 year ago. You could say it is our Illinois anniversary. I thought for a minute (a very short minute) that it was my first time changing states--but no, it is my 4th; 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 get them to come with us, most likely because they are now married adults 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 started their own little families. And after a while, our house began to feel very empty, too big, and very lonely. We had actually started talking about downsizing when a job opportunity came up for my husband 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 —whether it's 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, 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 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 is 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 1st 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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