For the past two days I have eaten my lunch in my Florida room, which faces the "forest" behind me. And each day a gorgeous cardinal has joined me. It's really peaceful....he sits on the post and eats his food while I sit and eat mine. We had been thinking about selling our house and looking for a new one....but the more we work on our backyard, the more I want to stay. The pool deck is 90% finished, and the landscaping is at 75%....things are beginning to come together. It's hard, when you move to a new house, to get it to feel like "home". I think it was especially hard in our case, being that we moved from the only place we had ever lived in our lives. 32 years of fimiliarity and family is a hard thing to give up. However, slowly but surely things are beginning to feel more natural.
So many things have changed for us in the past three years. John's father died, my best friend died, my father was diagnosed with PSP, and then John's best friend died. When this opportunity to move came about, I didn't give it a second thought. All I could focus on was how badly I wanted to leave that area and start somewhere fresh. I made it a point to leave all of my heartache and old feelings back there....and to bring a fresh, new outlook here. I did have a difficult time of it....but what surprised me was that we had been here for 6 months before I felt homesick. I'm over that now....and have realized that this is my new home. I can't move foreward, if I keep looking back. I know that sounds cliche, but it's so true. If I can't get myself over the past, how will I be able to help my girls move forward? Although, they have adjusted 100% better than I ever thought. I still have the dream that one day we will live in our ultimate destination, North Carolina, on the side of a mountain surrounded by Gods glorious landscape....but until then, I will be content with what He has blessed us with. The ocean is spectacular and truthfully, I can't imagine not being able to see it anytime I want to. I suppose I'm getting used to my tropical location....however, don't expect to see me in clam diggers and a big floppy hat ala Golden Girls anytime soon! (Although you could find me eating cheesecake to solve my problems! ;o)
12 comments:
I'm so happy that you have all adjusted so well. I remember that before I had been to Florida, but knew I was moving there, I cried thinking how much I would hate it--how I would NEVER be able to get used to Christmas there. But after only a few months, I fell in love with it. For me it was like being on vacation year round--I never had to go anywhere else, because I lived where it was so absolutely beautiful. And Christmas in Florida was wonderful. I came to love being able to walk through neighborhoods and see xmas lights. And I loved how you could plant a tiny pointsettia one year in an obscure spot and then the following year it was like a bush and it bloomed without any special care. I dream of going back there someday and being a beach bum...
Cheesecake? You have cheesecake? Is that on the South Beach diet? If so then sign me up!! I love cheesecake! Notice how I zero'd in on the last sentence and to heck with the house stuff? Well sounds like you got it good where you are. Hugs Lanny
Sherry, I'm so glad you're feeling "at home" in your home. It took me a long time to get used to living in S.C. (I'm originally from N.C.--LOL!), but it's grown on me. I do hate being away from my family, but I have hubby's family on both sides of our property (sometimes too close!). And wow--a "Florida Room"! Nice! ~Kim :o)
Oh you have been through a lot of sadness honey. I'm so sorry you lost your friends. I suppose I would wanna run away too. I think from my perspective you do seem to be making the best of it. Finding joy in the simplest of things. I love cardinals too. He didn't have a female with him huh? They usually are always together in my yard. So romantic.
I have lived in Michigan my whole life and have lately been wanting to move to another state.But I don't want to leave my family,I think they would be really upset if we moved out of state.I'm glad your feeling "at home".It sounds like your family had been through alot of stress.KIM
Sherry, I'm sorry about your losses and the sadness :-(
I was born and raised in Florida and could never imagine living anywhere else. I'm glad you're getting adjusted here...welcome home :-)
Sorry for all your sad times. I know how hard it is to move on with your life. But you are doing a great job and if you leave Florida, I don't think my hub would agree on a vacation to Indiana.
Yes Mom, scary to say, I have taken the moving situation well and I'm so glad we moved!! I think this was the better choice and all those signs we got to move like from Pastor Johns sermon that one day...it was for the better.
~Betsy~
Florida is an awesome state! We moved back here from NC. Actually we couldn't wait to come back. Now, as for NC and you wanting to go there. I think we need to talk!
If your happy in Florida and its starting to feel like home I would stay. We live close to the ocean as well and I know if we had to move (military) I would miss it alot! I am sorry for all your loss, hugs for you!
I'm so happy you've adjusted to your new home. You're so right...it' attitude. Looking forward instead of looking back. We may be faced with a move in the next year of so...and it is terrifying. It's so easy to feel settled. I would love to live by the ocean though...maybe someday!
might i just say that i am glad you moved to Flordia, for if you hadn't i would have never discovered what lovely people you all are....i would miss you terribly if you ever left....so if you ever decide that you want to leave me here all alone, then i think it would be in your best intrest to check the bigger bags and boxes you take with you...for you might find that i have decided to pack myself into a bag or box and can't get out of it.....
love you lots
`Emily...
ps...hope your toilet is doing much better seeing as how i am the one that made it sick...
Post a Comment