Late at night, I really do get sad thinking about leaving our home in Texas – not so much the house but I think it’s that we truly are closing out one chapter in our lives and beginning a new chapter. The lifestyle we’ve lived here has been hard and often not very rewarding. Hail storms destroyed the fruit on the trees; a late freeze ruined the fruit another year; grasshoppers ate the garden several times.
I went back to see what I had blogged about on this date in 2011 because that’s the day we actually left Missouri on our move to Texas. For those who don’t remember (and why would anyone other than me remember?), I left Nevada, MO a few hours before Vince did. I got stopped near Claremore, OK just a few cars behind a pretty big accident. Vince ended up getting to the hotel in Claremore at almost the exact same time as I did because he took the first exit (which he had told me to take but GPS told me to take the second exit) and the accident as between the first and second exits so I sat there for a couple of hours waiting for the interstate to be cleared.
This was the last paragraph in my blog post that day:
Vince left home a couple of hours after I did and he got stopped by the wrecks behind me but he took the exit before the exit I took so even though he left home two hours after I did, he got to the hotel about 5 minutes after I did. What a day on the road. Tomorrow we’ll drive the rest of the way to Brownwood and . . a new chapter in our life begins.
Here we are nine years later and that chapter is closing. It was a good chapter. It was our first time as empty nesters – Chad had been away at college but always came home on weekend for his job. Addie was born and we began grandparents. Vince retired . . which is really a chapter on its own!
And now a new chapter begins. We move back to Missouri. We moved here with Speck, the grumpy dachshund. We leave with Rita, the blind chihuahua, and Boots, the sweet kitty.
I wonder if we’re going to find ourselves wondering what to do . . no chickens to care for and clean up after; no fruit trees to water, prune and fertilize; no garden to water, weed, fertilize. It’s going to be interesting.
Apprehension at this point may be normal. We’ve always moved for jobs and it was just the thing to do – no second guessing, no worrying over whether we’re doing the right thing. It’s different this time and as the date gets closer to actually filling up a moving van . . I hope we’ve made the right decision. All we can do at this point is go forward.
Sara Fridley says
New chapters are always a bit scary, but in your heart you know it’s the right thing this time – at least in terms of being closer to family. And I’ll bet you will end up with those small garden spots once you are settled in.
Ranch Wife says
I’m so excited for your new chapter – adventure lies ahead and a whole lot of time with your sweet Addie! I’m pretty sure that trumps gardens and chickens! I’m betting ya’ll will be growing things where ever you go!
Cinda Moulds says
I don’t believe God would have laid this chapter out so clearly before you if He didn’t want you to follow this road. Moving has always been difficult on me emotionally but you’ll be so happy with the changes.
Tricia says
It sounds like the perfect decision! Great house, near family, more stores for Vince! Full steam ahead!
Carolyn Ensminger says
Judy, I hope your new chapter is as perfect for you as ours has been for us. You talked to me and supported me through our move and I’m happy to do the same for you! Yes, there will be questions and second (and maybe third!) thoughts, especially as you pack your memories, but you will be so happy to be near Addie and in that big, beautiful kitchen making meals for your whole family…this new chapter may well be the best one!
Joyce says
I think that the way everything just lined up is/was the sign that the time was right. Change is always scary, especially while it is “in progress”. My aunt and uncle lived in Arizona for several years after my uncle retired. She told me that those were some of the most fun years they had. But when they thought the time was right, they moved back to Kansas to be close to their children and grandchildren. You will have (hopefully) good memories of Texas, but you will make new good memories in Missouri.
Paula Nordt says
You may have said and I just missed it, but what is going to happen with Cat?
Dottie Newkirk says
Wishing y’all all the best – it is definitely a change and what I noticed on “moving back” after having “left” 50 years ago to now (with multiple moves all over in the 50 years), there were always thing I missed from where we had been but, there were also new adventures/memories to start.
Diann Smith says
What is going to happen to CAT?
Nelle Coursey says
I believe you made the right decision to move back to MO. You need to be closer to family just in case you really need them. Family is everything. You have a little girl to watch grow up and make memories with. This may turn out to be the best turn your life has taken. I will miss the thought of you not being close, but I can still ask questions when I get stumped with my knitting. Besides, I can still keep up with you through this medium.
Anne Greene says
What are you going to do with Cat?
Diane Masschaele says
What about cat?
Duane says
You made the right decision. Things just fell into place way to easily for this move not to be the right thing. If you would have stayed, you would have second guessed yourself for years to come. If you run out of interesting things to do, consider getting a greenhouse. Lots of busywork, just on a smaller scale. I am happy for all of you.
Susan Nixon says
Considering all that you won’t be doing in Missouri, you better start an exercise program. Use it or lose it is true as we age!
Karen Sutton says
Good heavens! I can’t believe it’s been 11 years since you moved to Texas! I think new chapters are almost always bittersweet. Remember the good memories and look forward to making new ones with family. I bet you’ll still have a garden – maybe not as gargantuan as the one in Texas but a garden nevertheless. You’ll have more time for spinning, knitting and maybe even quilting.
Judy Laquidara says
It’s only been 9 years since we moved to Texas so I must have said something wrong in that post.
Karen says
My mistake – read 2011 as 11 years. My brain was probably still half asleep.
Pamela says
I am excited to see what new adventures you and Vince take in this chapter of your life. I cannot even begin to imagine. You will have all that free time to come up with some pretty spectacular dreams!
Gloria says
Did I miss it? What’s happening with Cat?
moneikquilts says
I love hearing about your move. I’ve been away from reading blogs since March when I started working at home. Now that I’m back to a more regular routine I’m catching up. I remember your move, but it sure doesn’t seem that long ago. We stayed in Nevada on our honeymoon, so I always loved hearing about your life. Addie is the same age as my son, so it’s fun to hear what you do with her. Excited to hear what this next chapter looks like for you.