On moving
When I was a kid, my family moved frequently. Once or twice a year until we moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana.
In my upper elementary years, moving always had a hopeful side to it. Maybe in this new place I would be less awkward and shy. Maybe I would able to chat easily with friends at the lunch table. Perhaps I would even develop athletic ability in gym class.
It never really worked out that way. The shyness and awkwardness increased steadily, right up into my teenage years.
As we prepare to move to Fort Wayne this time, I have no wish to reinvent myself. I'll always be a little shy and awkward, and am very happy that athletic ability will play no part in my capacity to make new friends this time.
My struggle is more that I wonder how long it will take me to be myself in Fort Wayne.
I've been overseas for about twenty years. I'm a mixed bag of cultures and cuisine. I haven't lived in any area remotely resembling an American suburb for a very long time. In fact, if I count up the years that I've lived in different cities, I think I've lived in Libreville, Gabon, longer than in any other place. Crazy.
There's a sense of relief in some of this move. Household space, barbecues, corn on the cob, and family (not in that order, mind you) will be wonderful as we return.
But we've built up real community here in this place, and rebuilding that community will take time and effort.
In my upper elementary years, moving always had a hopeful side to it. Maybe in this new place I would be less awkward and shy. Maybe I would able to chat easily with friends at the lunch table. Perhaps I would even develop athletic ability in gym class.
It never really worked out that way. The shyness and awkwardness increased steadily, right up into my teenage years.
As we prepare to move to Fort Wayne this time, I have no wish to reinvent myself. I'll always be a little shy and awkward, and am very happy that athletic ability will play no part in my capacity to make new friends this time.
My struggle is more that I wonder how long it will take me to be myself in Fort Wayne.
I've been overseas for about twenty years. I'm a mixed bag of cultures and cuisine. I haven't lived in any area remotely resembling an American suburb for a very long time. In fact, if I count up the years that I've lived in different cities, I think I've lived in Libreville, Gabon, longer than in any other place. Crazy.
There's a sense of relief in some of this move. Household space, barbecues, corn on the cob, and family (not in that order, mind you) will be wonderful as we return.
But we've built up real community here in this place, and rebuilding that community will take time and effort.