Friday Five: Moving

Mother Laura says:

We are right in the middle of a move--only twenty minutes away, but we're still a mix of busy, excited, nervous and surprisingly full of grief about what we're leaving, for me at least. So this week's Friday Five asks about your experience of the marvels and madness of moving...


1. How many times have you moved? When was the last time?
I lived in the same house from birth to age sixteen. Then my parents, who were nearly sixty, decided to move to an apartment. In our small town there weren't many of those, and while waiting for some new ones to be completed we moved three times (in the same town) during my senior year of high school, and even lived in our church's manse briefly. After college, let's see...two apartments in San Antonio, five in Houston, two in California, a duplex back in Houston, then in 1991 we moved into the house where we live now. I realized the other day that in a few more months I will have lived in this house longer than I lived in my childhood home. The Scientist and I hope we can stay in this house for many more years, until we are ready to, as we say, "go to The Home". (i.e. the old folks' home--that's what my dad called it)

2. What do you love and hate about moving?
I can't think of anything I love about it, although the excitement of the new is a good thing. I loathe packing and hauling, and most of all I hate leaving old friends behind.

3. Do you do it yourself or hire movers?
We hired movers for our cross-country moves between California and Texas, but otherwise we have always moved ourselves with the help of friends. Alas, I don't think all of our stuff will fit into a few hatchbacks anymore.

4. Advice for surviving and thriving during a move?
Eat regularly, and not just junk. Drink lots of water. Mark a couple of boxes with crucial stuff to be opened as soon as you arrive. In fact, take those boxes with you in the car.

5. Are you in the middle of any inner moves, if not outer ones?
Yes, I am trying to figure out my next move! Is this the year I follow through with my application to the three-year training program for spiritual directors? After my service on the PNC is over, what else is there at church, at Presbytery, at work, that I should say yes to, or that I need to leave behind?

Bonus: Share a piece of music/poetry/film/book that expresses something about what moving means to you.
In our travels, the Scientist and I have identified a number of places where we are sure we could build a satisfying life if we ever had to move (Austin and Little Rock come to mind). We had seven good years in Southern California, a place where neither of us had ever thought about living. I believe we could build a good life anywhere, as long as we are together. So the old Billy Joel song, "You're My Home" is most applicable. Long as I have you by my side/There's a roof above and good walls all around...I need you in my house, 'cause you're my home.