Moving Is Hard
Getting into our next season, moving house
I have not fallen off the face of the earth. Well, I kind of have because everything in my life at the moment revolves around moving. Selling the house, check. Finding a place to live on one level, check. Downsizing, purging and packing, O M G check.
I know many many people do this every day, but I have never done this or anything close to it. I’ve moved other people, my Parents twice, my Mother once, twice, three times as her needs change. Before her I helped move my dear Harriet, the amazing Deaf lady who I interpreted for, then became a friend, then family, then her caretaker and responsible for her. She lived to 101 and 2 days, she’d outlived most everyone. The first move was from her home of many years to a retirement community apartment and later to Personal Care and Memory Care. The difference in all of these situations is I always knew I’d eventually finish and get to Go Home. This yime I am moving myself, and my husband and our cats and it is overwhelming. True, our new place will become home. This time of upheaval and transition to get there is really a new experience.
The work that I do holding space with folks dealing with life transitions and loss is my wheelhouse, but I can’t “Doula myself.” Gratitude for family, friends and other doulas who listen and hold me up is more than filling my heart.
All this is to say that I’m still here. In a week we will be moved, and once settled I’ll have the time and space to be in the Substack space more.
In the meantime I invite you to look back at my posts over the last year - yes, it’s been a year! Here’s one:
Wow! One of the top most stressful events in one's life! We did it five years ago when we relocated to Delaware and we still haven't finished. There are still boxes in the basement, pictures unhung, fences not yet bought for our doggie, and closets waiting for shelves. We exist in three rooms of our house one day at a time and make plans. I hope your process is full of grace and joy and that the kitties aren't too spooked. Love, Joan
You will get it done - it is who you are. That said, please find time to hug a tree, put your feet in direct, talk to a friend. You are so very loved and such a gift this planet and others. HUGS.