It is not like me not to cry. Especially now. I have felt a heavy burden on my heart watching my kids say goodbye to their friends. Hearing their stories have made me realize once more just how good we have it here. To Adam's surprise, his math class had a going away pizza party. The kids' principal went around to each of their classrooms to personally tell them goodbye. Sveta's RSP teacher bought her class donuts for breakfast and all my kids came home with either presents, letters, or phone numbers and addresses having made the promise to keep in touch. We got together with our small group, the kids had many of their friends over for the last time, and we began to seriously pack like never before.
This is really happening. And though I can feel the tears welling up in my eyes throughout the day, I am trying to stay strong. I know that we have so much to be thankful for and so much to look forward to, but this move has brought on an incredible sense of loss too-- one that is hard to put into words.
Have you ever heard the saying-- You don't know what you've got till its gone? Well I am feeling that right about now. How do I deal with the grief of moving away from here and balance it with the joy of our fresh, new beginning? How do I stay strong for the kids, but empathize with their own feelings of loss? They all seem very excited now that we are actually moving but I know they will miss their friends. For a few of them, I don't think the realization that we are leaving this town has sunk in yet. The anticipation of the big day has got them all bouncing off the walls-- I pray that they fall in love with their new home and make new friends just as fast as they did here. That would be wonderful.
Tuesday I pick up the moving trucks before John comes home and Wednesday we will move. What a week it is going to be! I have a feeling I won't be able to hold the tears back for much longer. Oh Lord please help me to keep it together. Why does moving have to be such a stressful and emotional time?
14 inspiring thoughts:
Oh Christine thank you for this post. We recently moved to another province in Canada, and though we really love our new home and are beginning to adjust to our new life here, I have felt that I am the last person in my family to really embrace the whole of what it means to move and move on. I have never really had a hard time making friend and meeting new people but I am having the hardest time finding other women or moms to connect with. I am longing for Christian Fellowship and at times feel so alone without my friends in our old city. The tears are running now. :) I am actually counting down the days until Nov 14th when I will be back to visit our previous Church and spend a few days with friends. I feel for all of you and know exactly what you must be going through and the kids too. Its hard but good too. I agree that "you never know what you had until its gone" I just hope that both our families will settle into our new communities and make new friends, new groups and that over time our "news" will be just as comfortable as our "olds"
All the best in your move! Can't wait to hear how the kids love the new house :)
Catherine
I wish you the best of luck! That is so sweet how the classes were so kind to your children. LOVE that.
I know moving is so hard but you guys are going to have more great memories to come. :)
Have a great week!
I just can't imagine coordinating moving 16 people but you will do it. Very hard to pack up and say goodbye to friends even though they are new friends from just a few years. I'm sure you will hate leaving your cousins that moved to your neighborhood. How nice that everyone got such a warm send-off from friends and teachers at school. Shows how much the kids are liked.
Praying for you, Christine! We've also moved quite a lot....I totally understand what you are saying!
Hugs
Christine,
My husband just retired from 23 years in the military. We are now living in our 9th home in 20 years of marriage. Moving is SO HARD! It was hard enough without kids, but when the kids started getting old enough to realize they would not be seeing their friends like they used to, it got even harder.
Let them know it is ok to be sad. You go ahead and cry. Let them see that that is ok too! Remind them that memories are good. Let them be sad for a period of time after the move, but then move on.
I think the biggest thing is to let them know that nothing will be the same. Church will be different, kids will be different, schools will be different, but that is ok. Change is exciting and we can always find good things anywhere we go, as long as we are together as a family.
Blessing to you. I know this is hard. We just moved again in July and we are still trying to settle in. Not my favorite thing :)
We will lift you up in prayer. Change is always difficult to process and usually a momma manages the emotions of it all and never gives herself time to process the change.Your new home looks beautiful and it seems like it will fit many of your families needs...may your children and John and you meet many friends and feel connected to your new place soon.
I was praying for you over the weekend knowing how much you have going on during these last few days. It is so hard to deal with our own emotions on top of everyone else's and all of the physical work you are doing getting ready. I will keep praying. I know moves are so bittersweet for everyone!!
Much love and prayers to your family during this time of transition.
The rollercoaster emotions is exhausting, I am sure. :) There is something I thought I would share with you that I heard at a Woman's Seminar...
we can have an altar of Praise and an altar of Sorrow. We can go over "here" and totally praise God for all that He has done and will do for us! Then we can go over "here" and pour out our sorrow and sadness. One does not need to take from the other. Isn't that liberating? :)
I would tend to give myself a sermon because of being sad about something when I "had so much for which to be thankful!" Not anymore. :)
So you go ahead and let those tears flow. They are balm for the soul.
mwah
Elaine in Ohio
Totally know the feeling--though not with so many young ones with their emotions.
I agree to let them all understand it will be different, but different is not bad, it is just different.
Also keep those lines of communication open. You do such a good job of it anyways, I would just suggest it be in the forefront of your mind. Our move was hardest on our 'stuffer' the one who would not talk.
Praying for you all
Donna
My heart goes out to you and the family in this move. My family moved when I was in third grade and it did have an big impact on me, so I know your kids have to be going through a lot, and you as their mamma, having to hold it all together for everyone, it has to be an incredible burden. I am keeping you and your family in my prayers that the move will go smoothly and you will get relatively settled and have few bumps along the way adjusting to your new lives.
Sooo thinking of you, Christine. I'll be praying for you tonight.
Praying for you all as you move!!
I know the feeling, I cried for 2 days after we moved here a little more than 7 yrs ago, but today I have absolutely no regrets. It was definitely for the better. Praying for you all.
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