“I gotta have roots before branches. To know who I am, before I know who I wanna be. And faith to take chances, to live like I see. A place in this world for me.”
Most of the time I think of myself as growing up in Vermont.
Because, technically, I did. I spent 18 years there. I grew into a young woman. I graduated from high school there. I had my first job, and my first car there.
But as I sit here, potentially 27 days away from leaving Maine (!!!!), I come to realize that I actually grew up in Maine.
I graduated from both my undergraduate and graduate programs here. I had my first apartment, first love, first heartbreak, first medical crisis here. I survived on nothing by ramen noodles and the support of my best friend. I had jobs that challenged me, and changed my life (and hopefully the lives of others, too). I met my husband here, got married, and faced some of the darkest days of my life here. I’ve come through stronger, older, wiser. More broken, but also more put together.
I have spent today making lists of things to do. Rooms to pack. People to say goodbye to. People that have shaped the woman, professional, person, and social worker I am today. Tears spring to my eyes whenever I think about it. I am so grateful for all of them. The ones who mentored me, and the ones that grew up with me. Look how far we’ve come.
Thank you for my roots, Vermont and Maine. You gave me a foundation strong enough to take this leap into the unknown and know that I will be okay.
**Lyrics by Room for Two, “Roots Before Branches”
Wow! Vermont and Maine should get a standing ovation. From what I know of you on your blog you are an amazing woman, daughter, friend and wife! When I saw your to do list on Instagram, I thought to myself that if anyone can bang out this list, it would be you. I also thought how even though you are leaving some wonderful things behind…you have so many wonderful things in front of you! Maybe you should take a photo a day ad your countdown to moving? A photo of something that you love. Just an idea but it could be fun! 🙂
2 beautiful places that obviously helped produce a beautiful person. Onward and upward to new adventures and more growing somewhere else! 🙂
thedoseofreality recently posted..Being Over-Committed May Lead Me To Being Committed
Best wishes as you move forward on your new adventure!
I keep thinking I’m grown up, then something happens to show me just how immature I still am and I realize I have a long way to go. Each different phase in life has its own growing up, I think. I wonder what kind of grown up I’ll be after I finish this one.
Fun analysis. Thanks for sharing.
misssrobin recently posted..Confronting My Therapist
I know what you mean. I grew up in Ohio, but have done so much “growing up” since I moved to Kentucky 6 years ago, that I pretty much claim both states now.
Good luck with your move!
kyfirewife recently posted..Randoms
It’s hard to move on… but I think you will love NC. It’s going to take some getting used to, but you will love it!
Sorta Southern Single Mom recently posted..Do You Ever Have Moments…
Good luck with your move, it looks like you did a lot of living in both places. Just found your blog through SITS and looking forward to reading more.
Have a great day!
Tara Denny recently posted..Eve is in the running for Readers Choice on Parents.com
Good luck to you!
Moving is so exciting, yet so difficult! We moved from our first home 2 years ago. I cried, still cry about it. When we built the home I never dreamed that we would outgrow it, but we did. I got through it by throwing myself into the packing and preparing for the move.
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