For the past week I’ve been feeling melancholy “ not for any particular reason, just a general feeling of the “blues.” Then I realized, it was one year ago this week that we left Arizona to move to Nebraska.
Having grown up in a military family, saying goodbye to friends and family wasn’t anything new to me. But this time proved to be much more difficult than I anticipated.
Every year in Arizona around July, I would think “Why do I live here?” It would get unbearably hot, and I would long for a cooler climate. The plants in the backyard would start to turn brown from the intense heat and sun, and all but the toughest would die.
It was a bit depressing. But I didn’t realize my roots ran as deeply as they did until it was time to try and dig them up to leave. Then I found they were too deep to dig up. I guess somewhere along the line, Arizona had become my home without my even realizing it!
Nebraska has been a wonderful experience so far, and Columbus has been a very welcoming community. I don’t miss the summer heat of Phoenix, and I don’t mind the crazy weather here “ it keeps things exciting, really.
We’ve got great friends, colleagues and neighbors here, and we’re enjoying the natural beauty of Nebraska. But my heart is still in Arizona. Maybe it always will be.
So, on this one-year anniversary of my move to Nebraska, I can’t help but wonder what the coming year will bring, and I want to extend a big “Thank You” to all of you who made me feel welcome whether you knew it or not. I’m proud to be part of your community.
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