The toughest part about moving is not packing boxes, purging old things or even trying to sell junk on Craig list. It's, of course, saying the words "goodbye" to friends and family.
Nothing prepares you for the emotions of formally rolling the words out of your mouth because tears are surely to follow. Of course, Mother's Day, yesterday only exacerbates the rip current of feelings associated with leaving.
Spending time with our closest family members also contributed to me realizing that I've never left West Michigan permanently, and a part of me never will. As I reflect on this home for what it has been, I know that I've met some of the most self-less human beings while living here.
I believe that not all paths and journeys like these are meant to be forever, and that's O.K.. The transition to the U.P., will be the healthiest one my family has experienced yet.
When we went for the holidays last year right after Christmas, my children were happiest I've ever seen.While certainly we all like the surroundings and being closer to some of our family, witnessing the night-and-day transformation in our children's quality of life reassures me of this decision.
Today, I can't help but reflect on some of the very firsts I experienced here with Gina and our family.
From the very little one-bedroom apartment where we started out prior to getting married, to the little 1800's cottage in the city where we planned to have our twins, to the urban 50's ranch-house with a pool and a killer backyard - we started the American way.
We had nothing but scraps in our pockets, one car to get us to work and a bouquet of promises and dreams. A dreamer and a worker, both young and clueless about how the world would keeping change their lives on the road ahead.
When Gwen was born and we lost her twin, Gabrielle, we found a support system in this community, many of whom have been in our lives since.
Gina and I also found a way to become an inseparable team working together through the medical maze of appointments, therapies and surgeries that would follow Gwen's cerebral palsy diagnosis.
When we had Violet we had new feelings of hope, and felt as though we were first-time parents, experiencing many new firsts we did not with Gwen. We had to learn how to be parents all over again (opposed to caregivers). Violet shined a light on new possibilities at the House of Gort and we wanted one more child like her.
Of course, with Eliza, there have been many other firsts. Eliza was born the year of the White Tiger and she, in many ways, has saved all of us. We have learned more about ourselves from her than any other child. She's our happiest child and she radiates beyond words.
Gina and I, especially, were forced to look within ourselves to determine our true strengths and weaknesses.
This allowed us to not only see ourselves with a new kind of clarity, but also see the world with new eyes. Our focus became laser sharp, our bond with our family, which includes all of you, is the strongest its ever been.
Know that we are not 'leaving' you, friends. We are taking you with us, all of you.
Whatever road lies ahead, we will not navigate it without your memories, your kind words and the wisdom that you continually share.
Nothing prepares you for the emotions of formally rolling the words out of your mouth because tears are surely to follow. Of course, Mother's Day, yesterday only exacerbates the rip current of feelings associated with leaving.
Spending time with our closest family members also contributed to me realizing that I've never left West Michigan permanently, and a part of me never will. As I reflect on this home for what it has been, I know that I've met some of the most self-less human beings while living here.
I believe that not all paths and journeys like these are meant to be forever, and that's O.K.. The transition to the U.P., will be the healthiest one my family has experienced yet.
When we went for the holidays last year right after Christmas, my children were happiest I've ever seen.While certainly we all like the surroundings and being closer to some of our family, witnessing the night-and-day transformation in our children's quality of life reassures me of this decision.
Today, I can't help but reflect on some of the very firsts I experienced here with Gina and our family.
From the very little one-bedroom apartment where we started out prior to getting married, to the little 1800's cottage in the city where we planned to have our twins, to the urban 50's ranch-house with a pool and a killer backyard - we started the American way.
We had nothing but scraps in our pockets, one car to get us to work and a bouquet of promises and dreams. A dreamer and a worker, both young and clueless about how the world would keeping change their lives on the road ahead.
When Gwen was born and we lost her twin, Gabrielle, we found a support system in this community, many of whom have been in our lives since.
Gina and I also found a way to become an inseparable team working together through the medical maze of appointments, therapies and surgeries that would follow Gwen's cerebral palsy diagnosis.
When we had Violet we had new feelings of hope, and felt as though we were first-time parents, experiencing many new firsts we did not with Gwen. We had to learn how to be parents all over again (opposed to caregivers). Violet shined a light on new possibilities at the House of Gort and we wanted one more child like her.
Of course, with Eliza, there have been many other firsts. Eliza was born the year of the White Tiger and she, in many ways, has saved all of us. We have learned more about ourselves from her than any other child. She's our happiest child and she radiates beyond words.
Gina and I, especially, were forced to look within ourselves to determine our true strengths and weaknesses.
This allowed us to not only see ourselves with a new kind of clarity, but also see the world with new eyes. Our focus became laser sharp, our bond with our family, which includes all of you, is the strongest its ever been.Know that we are not 'leaving' you, friends. We are taking you with us, all of you.
Whatever road lies ahead, we will not navigate it without your memories, your kind words and the wisdom that you continually share.
