It’s been a week of saying “Goodbye” to a lot of people, friends, and familiar places. Mack and I are moving this week so there is some excitement about starting a new chapter in a new city and also some sadness, as I know many relationships will change when I move away. I will make new friends and build new relationships, and I’m looking forward to that but I certainly will miss so many people here that I have known for years.
Every morning, for years, I have looked forward to teaching my 5:30am gym class and motivating and inspiring my friends there – it sets an incredible tone for the rest of my day to be positive. I went to yoga class on Sunday and realized how Amy, my favorite yoga instructor, has helped me see yoga as a practice, not just as a “stretching class” and I will miss her incredible classes. I will miss shopping at the grocery store down the road because I love seeing Mrs. Nina every Thursday when I buy groceries and I only get in her line because no other cashier there has such a great sense of humor and cares about her customers in the same way. I will miss seeing Mr. Jay at the post office where I mail my books, because he works so hard to keep his customers from having to wait in line a single second longer than necessary.
I could go on and on but you get the picture – It’s home, and has been for many years. Rather than focus on the sad things this week, I’ve really been trying to focus on all the positive things about these changes. What I’ve realized is how blessed I am to have so many awesome people in my life and wonderful relationships that have helped me. What a gift to have so many people whom I care about and who care about me! I grew up here, not physically but emotionally, as I changed from the shy, quiet, strange, and aloof girl who didn’t talk to anyone and wouldn’t let anyone in because I didn’t know how, to the woman I’ve become these last few years with an appreciation for life and every opportunity to be a blessing to someone, however I can.
Change is part of life and like any change, this move brings about both beginnings and endings. Like any change, I have a choice – I can look forward to the opportunities or I can look back with regret to “the way it was.” In the words of Dr. Seuss, “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.”
