When we came to Santa Fe, we were sad about a number of things, mostly the loss of family. We wanted a fresh start in a place we both liked, a place with seasons and fresh air. Santa Fe is a terrific place to land under any circumstances, but particularly when you need to heal. It's surrounded by glorious mountains. It's the capital city of New Mexico, yet it's like a small town. It has galleries and restaurants and yoga and lots of sunshine. It's full of eccentrics and brilliant weirdos. We've been very content here.
Yet I now feel oddly content with our decision to leave. It's like our time in Santa Fe has been just an interlude, a bit of a time-out if you will, to allow us to heal and grow. And we have - exponentially! In our four years here, so much has happened: Both my parents, who'd been ill for a long time, passed away. I became a yoga teacher. Dick aka RVPainter completely changed his medium and style of painting. I wrote and published a book.
I feel as though Santa Fe harbored and sheltered us and brought us through to the other side of sorrow, to a place where we could feel hopeful and happy again. And now it's time to go.
It's time for this little housemouse to come out and be in the world, and I'm ready. Just after Dad passed away in 2009, I read my "Free Will Horoscope." The advice was to follow the wisdom of the great sage, Dennis the Menace, who said, "WAKE UP! Let's go everywhere and do everything!"
So that's what we're gonna do now, and I'm chomping at the bit to do it.
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| This was the view of the mountains from the house we sold. I always felt like that heart was smiling on us the whole time we've been here. |
Maybe I should move there. I love the idea of having "eccentrics and brilliant weirdos" for neighbors. Lovely post. I think change takes an extraordinary amount of courage.
ReplyDeleteI have to break out of my shell every few years and reinvent myself. I think it's like molting :)
ReplyDeleteI'd love to do what you're doing. Good for you to listen to the 'voices'.
Hi Melissa, just dropping by to say another thank you for the reply you left on my blog. Santa Fe sounds great - although, to be fair in the middle of a UK winter, just the mention of lots of sunshine made me sit up. I love the photo of the mountains.
ReplyDeleteHi gals!
ReplyDeleteTonja, it's really a great place! We do get winter weather but it tends to be milder and the sun shines so much. There is such diversity of people here.
Better: I will remember those mountains fondly. I think I should get a gold star for being a brave girl :-)
Stephanie: I never want to break out, yet I seem to do it regularly! I'm glad of it now.
Hi Annalisa - the sunshine here makes all the difference. Thanks for coming by and saying hi.
ReplyDeleteWow, sounds like an exciting new adventure. Wishing you happiness every step of the way.
ReplyDeleteAs challenging as moving is, it sounds like you're in a great place -emotionally- to make the transition.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the journey.
xoRobyn
DW - You forgot to mention that moving at least every 5 years is a requirement of the "Witness Protection Program!" :>)
ReplyDeleteFORWARD HOooooooooooo!!
BTW I was up to "no good" until you tipped me off the "Others were coming!!!"
What an amazing view. I love it when people change and try different things, it does take a lot of courage but it is very satisfying :)
ReplyDeleteI wish I could shake my old man up to have an adventure.
ReplyDeleteSanta Fe...now there's an idea. It sounds like a wonderful place for an extended visit. Maybe my husband will get a job there...
ReplyDeleteDebby & Robyn, thank you :-)
ReplyDeleteRV, SHHHH! You're not supposed to tell!
Anna, I loved waking up to that view every day. It's burned into my memory.
Delores, he needs to talk to my husband - he'll be 72 this year!
Jane, it's really a great town.
Change is hard but good too. I'm did a reverse of you and moved from So. California to New England. It's a huge change. I hope to follow your plan and publish a book too. ;)
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous view - I am new here - so I guess you sold your house and you are moving? Where are you going? Thanks for following me and I am your newest follower too. sandie
ReplyDeleteI know what you're saying here. Santa Fe is a lovely place and the concept of home is so safe and comfortable. But the travel adventure is exciting. I wish I could be doing the same and hope to one day.
ReplyDeleteMy A to Z Challenge on my Wrote By Rote blog is going to be about the places that have meant a great deal to me in my life or places that I found interesting in one way or another.
Enjoy your travels.
Lee
Have you heard about the A to Z Video Challenge?
Blogging from A to Z
Southpaw - I think maybe your move is harder than the other way - it would be hard to acclimate to cold and harsher weather. Though I had an awful time adjusting to the desert when we lived in AZ.
ReplyDeleteChatty - we are hitting the road in an RV. My blog will be all about life on the road ... and writing ... Stay tuned
Arlee - I really look forward to reading your A to Z's! I feel certain that I'll be posting A to Z's about the start of road trip - we actually begin in April so the timing is perfect. Assuming I can get wifi :-)
I love a good book for children and enjoyed reading their comments about your book in the sidebar. Santa Fe is a lovely place, I can see going there to heal, to find peace. Your new adventure sounds wonderful and I'm looking forward to read about your road trip. Thanks for visiting my blog. I will follow yours now.
ReplyDeleteHello Melissa,
ReplyDeleteThank you for coming to my blog and commenting. That led me here, to yours. Like you, I am getting ready to move back to Minnesota. I lived there for 38 years. Then moved here to Missouri almost three years a lot. Now I think I've learned what the Universe wanted to teach me here and I'm ready to go home to Minnesota.
There's a lot to do with moving, isn't there!!!!!
My computer screen isn't big enough to hold your whole blog page. I'm wondering if there is some way I can make your page smaller. Any suggestions????
Peace.
That's so exciting! I love the way you describe it, as though you've gradually come to be at peace with the idea of moving.
ReplyDeleteInger, thanks for returning the visit and the follow. Thanks for checking out my book - I have started a sequel, so stay tuned!
ReplyDeleteDee,it's just as you say - sometimes the universe lands us in a safe place so we can learn what we need to. I have used a large font on my blog because I find it so hard to read others - check down at the bottom right of your computer to see if there is a 100% you can click on and choose to reduce the size. That works on mine. I can take a look at shrinking the width of my blog too.
Rachel, it was definitely a process and now I am so THERE!
Hi, I followed you home.
ReplyDeleteI love home, and things consume too much of our lives/hearts. I really admire your courage in letting go and moving forward. And am so glad that you had yor healing interlude.
OH Dennis the Menace is a wise little boy! I love that you are about to embark on this new journey, new adventures, new everything! Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteTake care
x
hi Elephant's Child - thanks for following me home and for the kind words.
ReplyDeleteHi Old Kitty - yes, the Great Sage of my generation: Dennis the Menace! Who woulda thunk it?? xo
The writer to Ecclesiastes says that there's a time and season for every purpose under heaven. It's going to be a wonderful new season for you...glad you're embracing it! Looking forward to reading all about your adventures. Take lots of pictures!
ReplyDeleteMelissa,
ReplyDeleteI happened upon this (well, I don't believe that anything JUST happens)but in any case, I think this is just meant for you.
http://paintedprayerbook.com/2011/12/31/epiphany-blessing-for-those-who-have-far-to-travel/
Debora
Beautiful post, full of positivity despite the pain a move entails.
ReplyDeleteA move for a better quality of life is always a good thing but some moves are regrettable and some old places unforgettable. Enticing Picture. Thanks for the visit.
Debora, I don't anything "just happens" either - thank you so much for your kind words and I'm going to that link next - that prayer sounds perfect - thank you.
ReplyDeleteRek, thanks so much for coming by and saying hello.