Bravely, We Step Out

The last month my life has been consumed with the process of considering a move east, a process I couldn't blog about. I process in writing and it is hard for me to write about things that aren't important to me; thus, the silence. And now, I realize that I'm moving forward and it is hard to go back and explain what the last month looked like.

This is a shot I took while we were driving around in Michigan scoping out the area. It just captured the contrast between where I am now. It was at this point that Mike said, "I'm really going to miss the mountains." Uh, yeah.

I've always said I'm part gypsy and I hate to stay anywhere too long. But the truth is my husband is very stable and he has brought that sense of place to our marriage. Eight years is the most I've spent in any one community and saying good-bye is looking harder the closer it gets. Leaving my parents, grandmother, and other friends in the Northwest is far harder than it has ever been before when I've jaunted here and there.

At the same time, this opportunity is so golden. My golfer who loves to examine all the angles and then take the shot is going to get to do exactly that in his job as Executive VP, directing policy for Mackinac Center for Public Policy. His hesitancy at leaving a place and job he has loved for so long, was replaced with near giddiness when we went out there and he met the staff and saw the potential there. Mackinac is a top policy center and we were deeply impressed by what they do, but even more, by who they are. Staffed by some of the most gracious, humble, and accomplished people we've met, we both found people we'd love to be friends with and be mentored by.

Telling our kids was a new aspect of parenting. Everleigh took the news in stride. Ben was excited until he learned our house would not go with us. Then he started contemplating his friendships, his favorite sports team, and everything else. He is comforted by the prospect of tickets to a Lions/Seahawks game in October. Kyrie immediately burst into tears and thought of her grandparents and friends. She brightened up at the thought of a cross-country trip staying in hotels and swimming in a few hotel pools. "Mom, I'll pack my swimsuit, because you always forget." She is eager to have a garage sale and sell all her toys so she can buy new ones. I can say that her mom is excited about the same thing. My toy will hopefully be a new dresser.

So here we go again....The month-long countdown will start soon. Bravely, we step out...in faith. The path was clearly lit and we believe Someone was guiding us.