Whether you're moving to different house, city, state, or even a different country, moving gives you new eyes for your surroundings. Things that have become normal, usual, and even mundane start to become precious, meaningful, and sometimes sentimental. For instance, my morning walk. My typical morning walk became a new adventure by simply wanting to hold on to this moment. But not just to hold on to the present, but in some small way to live for a few minutes without thinking about the future. This desire motivated me to make the extra walk down past the local lake on this cold morning to see the mist rising off the lake. It was more beautiful than I ever remember. And I imagine it was more beautiful simply because I know that in less than 90 days this will once again no longer be my home. There is something about growing up in a place that makes it your place. The place where you belong. The place where everybody knows your name. The place that everyone's glad you came. Unfortunately, my kids won't have one place like this. However, on the other hand, they have many places. We have created friends and non-biological family every place we have lived. Meaningful people in our lives have become adopted aunts, uncles, and cousins. As we look ahead to a new chapter in our family's life, we look forward to meeting our future adopted family and new friends. This makes it easier as we look ahead, but it doesn't make it any easier to say goodbye. Now that were under 90 days until our Spanish adventure begins, I will look at my homeland with new wondering eyes. I will expect the beauty to impact me more deeply than it has before. And I will treasure the moments that we spend with our family and friends, the ordinary moments that become treasured memories. I'm so thankful for the time we have had here, and yet anticipating the amazing moments ahead.
Written by Wendy Lorenz