Whew.....

Mission accomplished! Team MOVE came together in a big way and I couldn't be happier about it. I'm a "do it all myself/I can handle this" kind of girl, so it's not easy for me to ask for help. It's not easy, but it is occasionally necessary and (if you are blessed enough to have the kind of peeps that I have) even affirming. Mom and Dad came down to help with everything from packing breakables (thanks Mom) to driving the UHaul (thanks Dad) and just about everything in between. Zach and T helped with loading, Spanish and general good friend supportiveness. Julie (AKA Big Pink and landscaper extraordinaire) connected me with some VERY able loading help who made a flight of stairs and my love for books (and the boxes they create) seem like no big deal. K got everything ready on this end from making a place (both physically and emotionally) for me and rounding up some guys to help unload the truck when we arrived tired and sore on Saturday night. I even had a "welcome to town/congrats on the new job" card from K's parents waiting for me when I arrived. It has been such a huge effort and it feels good to know that the people I love have helped me get here. What a blessing.

The View from Here

There are boxes as far as the eye can see. Boxes and tape and semi-organized looking piles of stuff awaiting boxes and tape. In previous moves I have been time-pressed into a frantic/rushed "throw whatever you can in a box" approach, but not this move. This move has allowed me the freedom to luxuriate in what has been called (by competent professionals;) ) the "obsessive compulsive" features of my personality. Oh, it's a beautiful thing. The structure and preparedness of it. Knowing that I am leaving with what I want and need and leaving behind what I don't. Quite freeing, actually.

Of course, that line of thinking works best with stuff. It doesn't work so well with people. Sometimes you have to leave people that you want and need. As much as you might want to strap them to the top of your car (for oh so many reasons), people just aren't up for that. So, I've decided I'm not leaving.

Relocating? Yes.
Leaving? No.

You don't leave people who are your family. Sometimes you move and you have to make adjustments to find a new groove, but you don't leave.