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As a child I moved constantly. My dad was an architect/ home builder and we often lived in half built houses while he finished them off and then sold them. It was a pain of course having to change schools, leaving “best” friends behind, and feeling my way during those first weeks in new schools and neighborhoods. I did it though, often missing what I’d left behind. It wasn’t until I was in highschool that I stayed in the same school with the same classmates that I finally felt I really had a home. But when I graduated I moved to Vermont with my parents and went to college there. Another new beginning. Bill and I met there, got married there, and that’s where our kids were born.
We left Vermont in 1979 and came to Virginia where we’ve been ever since. For the most part I love the weather, except for hot and humid July and August. The rest of the year is pretty awesome though. We moved here to the Charlottesville area in 1985. Since then we have moved three times within this community. Each place we have landed was perfect for us at the time and when we needed something new we moved on.
We’re still in Charlottesville and continue loving it. The new home we moved into in November is perfect for us right now. We’ve been able to simplify and find that aging is easier than it would have been in the lovely home we recently left. This place is smaller, better organized, and easier to take care of. And we continue to still have the friends we made here.
We’re still getting settled, but we’re warm and cozy and enjoying the array of birds at
our new birdfeeder. Even the resident blue birds come to feed. I’ve never had them come to a seed feeder before. When summer comes I’ll be offering them meal worms to keep them around. Our aging kitty, Lilliput, is now an indoor cat and is no longer a threat to the avian and rodent communities around us.
All of us have just moved into a new year. There will be more fresh starts and adventures ahead. What are you hoping for in 2018? What will bring all of us joy during the next 12 months? What will we bring with us that will sustain us during possible trials ahead?
I’m bringing TRUST as my word for the coming days and continue to work with last years word, PAUSE, which I still need to work on. I trust that the days ahead will be filled with love, kindness and ease. I hope to continue to pause when life gets tough, remembering all of the things that I am so grateful for … including family, friends, and you, my followers.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Joan — You can’t be your new home’s combination of: smaller, better organized, and easier to take care of. Adding TRUST as your focus word this year is delicious icing on the cake!
Thanks, Laurie. It is quite amazing how living in a smaller place is so freeing. Shoulda done it years ago! As for the trust, it’s really all any of us can do as we walk down our paths without knowing what’s ahead.
It’s so nice to have you back, Joan! You’ve handled your transition with grace and I love the words “pause” and “trust” that have guided you through this change. May 2018 bring you happiness and peace. Onward!
You are always an inspiration to me Kathy and watching you handle your difficult transitions has helped me make mine less difficult. Acceptance and letting go are the keys to living a graceful life. Thanks for your example!
Joan, this is a beautiful post. So glad you’re settling into your new home. I like living in Virginia, though the other night when we walked to our car from a First Night venue, we thought we were back in Vermont… it’s been cold here this past week!
Trust is a wonderful thing. I keep reminding myself to trust that things will turn out as they are meant to. It’s hard on a personal level, not knowing yet where we’ll settle, and on a national level as well. I keep trying to focus on the kindnesses we show to one another as an antidote to the mainstream news. I keep hoping that human potential for compassion and kindness will outweigh the human potential for greed and self-centeredness. That is my hope and prayer for 2018 for the world. On a personal level, I hope to find the home that is right for David and me, as you describe the home you found that is perfect for you.
Many blessings to you in the coming year, Joan.
You are always an inspiration to me Kathy and watching you handle your difficult transitions has helped me make mine less difficult. Acceptance and letting go are the keys to living a graceful life. Thanks for your example!
Yes it is frigid here this winter, Saloma. Kind of reminds me of my years in Vermont. My son was born on a February night when it was -30 degrees. So when I tend to complain I think of times like that.
I’m with you in your prayers for a compassionate and kind world. It has been a difficult time all over the world and we aren’t setting a good example right now.
I hope you find your perfect home!! Come see me!
Home is where the heart is and your heart is full of calming words right now with time to pause and savor the comfort of your hearth. Happy 2018 to you and Bill!
The same to you and yours, Marian. I find it wonderful to be in a home that is so comfortable. May we all have what makes us happy.
This is an excellent post to start out the new year! I can relate to all you are saying, especially about the many moves and disruptions in your life during your adolscent school years. As an adult, I also found my ‘perfect’ home in the quaint little town of Brookville, PA. I have lived here for over thirty years, and during that time I became a community leader as well as the co-owner of an FM radio station. Two years ago, I accomplished my life-long goal of writing my memoir. I love your idea of finding two words to best describe your personal goals for 2018. I hope I can come up with two meaningful words that apply to my goals for this year. Thank you for your inspirational blog. I’m looking forward to more if them.
Thanks for stopping by, Diana. I’m so happy you have found some inspiration here. I think the main reason I blog is to keep myself inspired, reminding myself that life is what you make of it.
I love “Trust” as a word for the year, Joan. So glad to hear your new home is working out well for you — I’m thrilled to hear how smoothly this transition has gone! Happy New Year. 🙂
Thanks, Jill. Though mostly smooth, the transition has had it’s rocky places as well. My husband’s health problems are taking a lot of time. His “good knee is now arthritic and but not as bad as the other that has been replaced. He’s going to try a brace and some PT and will hopefully be able to move around again. All any of us can do is “TRUST” that all will be well and healing will happen by making each day the best one ever.
Happy New Year to you too!