A new family has moved into our little town of about 2,000 people. The husband works with Dave and I am planning on taking some cookies over today or tomorrow. I thought I would make a nice little card on the computer, but the only ones I thought fit were the ones under the label “Sympathy”. I feel this for a two main reasons yet I’m sure others exist. The first reason I want to offer her sympathy is because moving just sucks. I won’t even go into packing, unpacking, extra cleaning and the impossible task of finding the thing you are looking for in the pile of boxes. No, the main reason moving is so horrible is that you leave your friends. It is like a giant bus has crashed and all your friends are gone. It is horrible that the women that can bring you the most comfort in such a hard time can’t really be there for you. Yes, there are people who will one day be your friends, but no one on whose shoulder you can cry right now when you really need to. New jobs, new school for the kids, new neighbors…the whole ordeal is something you need a solid, reliable friend to help you through.
Second reason moving here sucks—well, this town is small. Not like a small town back east, where there is another small town 15 miles away, this small town is an island, 70 miles from anything. This makes shopping crazy difficult. Doctors’, dentists’, orthodontists’ appointments take the whole out of school for the kids. Going to a movie theater means 90 min in the car, sitting for the 2 hour movie then 90 min more in the car. You get the picture. There are many reasons this town is no fun.
But…why here?
A huge reason we live here is summed up on the school calendar in a few phrases such as: Christmas Concert, Christmas Vacation and Easter Vacation. Yes, the music teacher here teaches the children Christ-centered songs for Christmas. They have Christmas parties at school and a Christmas tree. Easter vacation has not been turned into “Spring Break”. It is still Easter Vacation.
My less than coordinated child will be able to do any sport he really wants to do. My neighbor’s daughter is a cheerleader…any of the girls willing to work and go to practice are included. This town nicely spaces it’s sports out so gymnastics began the week after soccer ended. The kids can do all the sports and activities they want to learn. This town is super kid-friendly. We live on this island for our children.
For those with beaches, or shopping or land that grows things I do envy you at times…but not today. I will take cookies and a Sympathy-Welcome card. I will share the great things about our town and encourage her to spend time with her old friends by phone, email and blogs. You will never know how your words helped me when you had no idea I was reading…
2 comments:
Oh come on! Our "winter break" isn't all that bad! We also get to have a winter party where we celebrate..um snow and...stuff. Ok, your small town sounds lovely! Except for the 90 minutes from everything part. :}
I like your reasons for living in Lovelock. We loved it there, for the most part. You are right about the inconvenience of being so far from everything, but I do miss the friends we left behind. Our kids do, too. I always wish I could just pick up the whole town and transplant it where I want it--here in New England!
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