I don't like change. I admit it. But like it or not, things change. Children grow. Parents age. Time marches on. My aversion probably stems from some control issues, never really learning how to trust, feeling like the child who had to parent her parents with maybe a dash of OCD sprinkled on top.
I read stories on the 4Real forum about people packing up and moving across the country in search of a better job or to find a better place to raise their kids and the thought of choosing to do that brings on hyperventilation. I can't really ever see us living anywhere other than Texas, but then...
...sometimes I dream...
...about picking up and moving someplace new and starting all over again. The adventure of finding all the fun places to visit. The challenge of making new like minded friends. New grocery stores, new libraries, new museums, new parishes. What could we see? What would we find?
Sometimes, you find beauty, but not in the place that is most important to you. An online friend is right struggling with the difficulties of a church that is not offering much spiritual nourishment amidst a land that is stimulating and rich with opportunity to explore God's creation. (You are in our thoughts and prayers, dear friend!)
Others are exercising their prayer life (and their patience) as they ride the real estate roller coaster. Very few of us are fortunate enough to be able to move first and sell later. The real estate market in our area is sluggish at best and I am sure the rest of the country is in the same situation.
Do homeschooling families choose new places to live with the laws of a particular state in mind or do they rise to the challenge of the new place that they find themselves? Should the state of the Church in a particular area factor into the decision making process?
In the next three weeks we will know more about how much or how little our lives will change and then choices must be made, options weighed and decisions must be acted upon. And with that, we are off to Mass.
Dear St. Joseph, pray for us.
St. Dymphna, pray for me.
Praying for you. Uncertainty is difficult. I, personally, am tired of the moves. I'm very shy and it's always so hard to make a life. I'm hoping we're here for good in Texas until his retirement.
ReplyDeleteAs I sit in my empty home in a camp chair with hubby's laptop on my lap knowing that my day will be filled with cleaning carpets and attending a goodbye lunch and a goodbye dinner with different friends I may not see again - or may because the military lives in a small world - I can attest that moving is not "fun" but it is an adventure. There is always something you wish you didn't leave behind, and always something you are happy to get away from. There is always good stuff at your new location and bad stuff, too.
ReplyDeleteI do not understand people who live under bad conditions (depressed economy, persecuted lifestyle...or, in the case of my single but searching for a husband SIL who lives in a town with 4 single women for every eligible bachelor, less than ideal demographics) who can't break free and move to a better place. But maybe I'm genetically too close to my immigrant roots.
I wish you well in your ponderings.
Oh, but moving CAN be fun! It's an adventure, just like life. Sometimes you just have to let go of the things you are used to and trust your own wings and your faith.
ReplyDeleteI have moved many times - from Sweden to Spain and then back to Sweden and 2 years ago to Morocco. My next move will probably be back to Spain, but not until my boys are ready for university.
Take care and God bless.
The state of the Church does factor in for me...although living forever in a city called Catholic Wasteland by the rest of the country has brought me in contact with people who really are on fire for the faith (because it was so challenging) and had the strength of will to try to make a difference (some wrote books, started Boy's Clubs, etc).
ReplyDeleteI would have a hard time leaving where I am because I am so happy here! And my husband travels to all the glamorous cities in the country and says he is so happy to be where we are... I suppose all those factors come into play, especially in states where homeschooling is being challenged in courts. I will pray for you of course! take care!
I will pray for peace of mind for you and your husband as you confront whatever challenges are ahead. I don't even know you personally, but I must admit that I would be sad if you moved away from our somewhat common area. Is that weird?
ReplyDeleteMathilda,
ReplyDeletePraying for you, friend.
I understand.
Praying for you, Matilda.
ReplyDeleteWe have moved many, many times. Some moves were good, some not so good. But in the end, what really matters has very little to do with where we live, and everything to do with HOW we live.
ReplyDeleteI will keep you in my prayers as well, dear friend.
Matilda, I could have written that first paragraph - but not nearly as beautifully! I truly hate change and my husband is in the same job situation. We spent our summer deciding whether or not to move to follow the position based in LARGE part on the homeschooling community and the Church. We said no with great pain and trepidation. The next few months will be very difficult? trying? full of opportunity? I am praying for you and your husband. St. Joseph, pray for us.
ReplyDelete