After years of nudging from my youngest and oldest to move to Austin, and years of soul searching about making a move at this stage of the game of life, we decided last fall to move to Austin. The plan was to have one of us get a job, and the other would follow--hopefully scoring a job soon thereafter.
I am good at moving. I have made major moves all my life, three times cross-country to and from CA from Florida following my father in his aerospace career. Once to Oregon when I was a newlywed. From OR to Silicon Valley with my young family, and from Silicon Valley to Boston to follow my job at Bay Networks. I thought this was my last move, but life is an adventure and I know I have lots of adventure yet to come as I trade lobsters for BBQ, and frigid winters for steamy hot summers.
But, the greatest gain by far, is healing the separation between mother and children as best as I can do, with two of my children here and one other in Silicon Valley with his dear family. My family is a prime example of migration. My mother is the only child in her family born here to German immigrants who came to this country in 1929. My father is the son of German immigrants and a Hugunaut. I have envied my New England friends who have lived here forever, and have their roots here. Family is big in New England and I have always wished I had a true home town, where I was born, raised and lived among familiar faces, but that was not to be. My kids grew up not really knowing their grandparents much. None of them really lived near us. I swore that would not be for me and my grandkids, but then it became my reality. So, all things in life are choice. We choose now to live near kids we love and their families we love.
My father and mother live in Florida and he looks at me and my decision and blinks. I think he wonders how I could resign from the best most lucritive job of my life, pull up stakes and leave. This was not a choice he made. But, as I look at aging parents and distance, and look ahead 30 years. I do not want my kids wrestling what to do about Wally and I. I do not want to miss their beautiful kids growing up or having some impact on their lives. If my parents ever need us to care for them, it is more likely to happen in TX than in frigid New England.
This was not an easy decision for me. I am my father's stubborn daughter. I wrestled inside myself for years for the ability to make this adjustment with no regrets. I think when the timing is right you know it in your heart and you can go knowing full well that this is the right thing to do now. Is the move easy, heck no. It requires a great deal of patience and inner calm. For over a month Wally was in interviews and the outcome was unsure and we had to keep the possitive vibes alive. We had no plan B.
He got the job and begins next week. The house is all packed but the movers will come in round two of this move. Wally and I leave today and begin the drive to Austin. I fly back next week and work another month, unless my options change. So this is phase one of our move. Phase two will be in May.
We had a party with a great deal of our friends last Saturday and leaving them behind is like leaving family. They have been our family. There is family you are related to and family you pick to be with. When you are nomads like us, friends mean a great deal. They become the ones you have holiday meals with when family is too far away. If I have any regrets, it is leaving these dear people behind, but thankfully technology will keep the connections strong.
So my bags are packed and Wally picks me up at 3 pm today...and for the next four days we drive. I am looking forward to this road trip. I will get to Austin in time for my granddaughter's birthday too! I have to admit, I am exceedingly happy. I know all the pieces will come together. I just have to trust that it will.
It's going to work out just fine, Leesa. Place your trust where it needs to be.
Jonas
Posted by: Jonas | April 01, 2011 at 05:57 AM
Thank you Jonas! So far it has been like the hand of God upon us. Just a few more loose ends and I will be on my way back here...I fly home to Boston tomorrow...and soon I will know how it will go...take care. Keep in touch! :-)
Posted by: Lisita | April 04, 2011 at 05:07 PM