Sunday, March 19, 2017

Moving On, And This Is Why


It's official.

We spoke with our realtor today, and the house is going on the market this week.

We've poured two years' worth of blood, sweat and tears into this house, and we are hopeful that it will sell, and quickly, so that we can move on and begin a new phase of our lives together.

I'm sure a lot of you regulars at the cafe are wondering "Why now? The house is finally complete!"

No, I'm not one of those crazy bloggers who just needs to move to have new material to write about.

And no, it's not because I don't like this house, or this town, or this neighborhood.

All of that is really inconsequential.

The real reason we are moving is because we are missing our families back home.

We've been living on a proverbial island, isolated from the people we love. And while many families can make the distance thing work for them through phone calls and face time and texts, I have grown weary in the process and have missed out on so much.

My sister had a heart attack over the holidays, and I couldn't visit her in the hospital. My heart ached over her aching heart. It still does.

My sweet step mom-in-law fell and broke her hip before Thanksgiving. And because we live so far away, I wasn't able to make her soup or bake her bread or clean her house.

My Mom needed her garden beds mulched, and I never could manage to get it done on our short visits home.

Maybe turning fifty has been an awakening for me, but I have come to realize this...I am not that person. Family and connection matters to me. It does, indeed, take a village. And my village is not here.


I read this awesome book this month. Lady Like by sisters Rebekah Curtis and Rose Adle. It was like opening the windows and letting a fresh wind of truth blow through my thinking. In a chapter entitled "Brains For Women", they had this to write about loving our neighbor:

"Our neighbors are those who are nigh, which means near, to us. No one is nearer to us than the people in our own households. We are their servants before we are any other person's."

I need to be nearer. I crave it. And not only do I want to be near to them, but I want to care for them and serve them. I want to love those who are nigh.


Next weekend, we will be traveling to Michigan to begin looking for a house in a new community, close to our families and yet still convenient for my husband's work.

Our next house is really secondary in importance to me. Yes, we want to downsize. And sure, it would be great to find the perfect little cottage in the perfect town with the perfect schools and parks and libraries.

But in the end, it isn't about house. It's about home.


Mom made me this card, which really says it all.


Life takes us in unexpected places. Love brings us home.

Blessings, cafe friends!

7 comments:

  1. Aw, I know exactly how you feel. I stayed away for 11 years and finally moved back home, albeit alone except for a 9-month-old baby. She's 34 now and I never looked back. I understand.

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  2. You do get it, LeAnne! I've been living abroad (and by abroad, I mean outside of Michigan...ha ha!) for over twelve years now. I'm ready for a homecoming!

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  3. Love your caring, family spirit!

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    1. They are good to me, too, Sandy. I need to get better. :)

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  4. My reason exactly for leaving Arizona 2 years ago. It was just too far from family. Arlene L.

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    1. I understand, Arlene. Home is where our people are. :)

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  5. Best wishes on your move. Your family will be lucky to have you closer. Travel safe!

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