Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Inbetween

What a month!

We moved out of our apartment after a grueling month of selling, donating, storing and packing. Because this is an international move we had to take extra consideration with everything we decided to ship over to the Dominican Republic. Space and cost were on my mind as I went through drawer after drawer after closet. More than once it occured to me how comforting it is to hold on to stuff and how hard it can be to let go. It was a good lesson in how "stuff-oriented" our culture has become and how I can easily fall right into the category.

We had a big moving sale two weeks before the move. With a lot of help from friends and a long weekend, which included a threat of rain forcing us to move the sale inside, it was a success. From the money we made we were able to buy a used washer, fridge, and stove from Craigslist! A nice payoff for all the work it required to have a moving sale. I parted with a lot of stuff I was sad to see go, but it felt liberating once it was all done to have the weight of extras off my shoulders.

Moving day was insane! Fortunately, a good friend volunteered to take Eric for the day, which turned into the wee hours of the night. I was relieved we didn't have to keep up with him or that he didn't have to see his world dismantling around him. He had a lot more fun at Aunt Stacey's house. We cleaned and waited for the movers to show up, which they did at 6:00 that evening. Seems we were the last house they were moving that day. They expertly wrapped up our furniture in paper, cardboard and miles of tape and had the truck locked and loaded at 11:30 p.m.! We were exhausted and still had to load the cars and take the trash down. That last load almost killed us both!

So, here we are on the other side of the move staying with some great friends for 2 1/2 months until we leave for Santo Domingo on November 15th. Our things are being stored by our moving company in their warehouse until they ship out to the Dominican Republic in mid-October. We are inbetween lives right now. Finishing out this one and getting ready for the life change ahead. I keep telling myself it's time to relax and make a list of all the things we want to do in Boston before we leave. But, I find myself looking around for a project, because I've gotten so used to the packing and all of the work it takes to coordinate a move.

I have a shift in emotions about our move from day to day. One day I am so excited about the change of scenery and all of the adventures awaiting us in the DR. The next I am sad about leaving the comfort of this well-lived life we've had in Boston where I know how to get from Mission Hill to Waltham using shortcuts and backroads. And the very next moment finds me anxious about all of the comforts I have to give up to live in a 3rd world country. Namely, how hot we are going to be all the time, mosquitoes, power outtages, etc.

For now, I am enjoying the quiet sound of life in the burbs, the emmerging fall weather, and the company of good friends.

2 comments:

BecMama said...

Thinking of you sweet friend. Remember that God will never gives us more than we can handle, we just need to be sure We don't give us more than we can handle. Enjoy these last days in Boston as your new adventure will be starting soon.

Anonymous said...

I am excited for you and your new adventure. I lived in a friends house for 3 months (in their basement) until we moved into our new house - and can understand the feeling of "stuff" and not having it any longer. In the end it is liberating, but hard to process through it's departure from normal life. I will be praying for you and maybe when you are settled in - a trip to the DR might be in store :-)
God Bless,
Nance