Farewells and Goodbyes

Today was the beginning of farewells and goodbyes. Some of Michael's extended family met us for lunch today and then came to the house for one last visit before bidding us farewell on our upcoming adventure. It became a momentous goodbye when the cash was pressed into my hand at the restaurant by one of Michael's aunts and when the other aunt pulled out gift books for Ezra and put more cash into Michael's back pocket on her way out. Then my best friend growing up throughout my childhood and teenage years, whom I in recent years have gratefully reconnected with, came by with her daughter bearing a bottle of champagne, and some sweet vegan treats. We laughed and chatted lightly about the upcoming change about to come upon us and enjoyed each others children playing at our feet. When it was time to say goodbye, I could feel the tightness in my throat and the tears welling behind my eyes that will probably become harder to suppress as the next days arrive. In the evening, our neighbors for the last 7 years came by to say goodbye and brought a bag full of thoughtful gifts for our trip. We enjoyed each others company sitting around the kitchen table and thought to ourselves, why didn't we make more time for this during all these years? However, we have both felt fortunate to live side by side knowing we could count on the other to be kind, courteous, and help the other out in a pinch. The moments before departure are truly being treasured. With each hour our leaving is becoming a bittersweet reality. On the one hand, it is truly sad to leave our home where we have loving neighbors and beloved family and friends close by. But, on the other hand sweet adventure awaits and what lies around the corner may be a beautiful rainbow of new friends and family gatherings on a beautiful island that will one day be a treasured memory. Whatever happens, I am grateful for today. My heart aches during goodbyes, but with each encounter it overflows with the love that is shared with the people I am with.

Shipping the Land Cruiser

Today our Toyota Land Cruiser was picked up by a transporter to be brought to Florida where it will be shipped to St. Maarten. After many phone calls we were able to find a place that allowed us to pack the car full of some of our essential items for living - for example, a food processor, a toaster oven for our oven-less kitchen, yoga mats, Michael's anatomy gloves, Ezra's books, my books, and Ezra's Thomas the Tank Engine collection. However, it did cost an extra $400.00 after the guy came to the house and determined it was more than 150 pounds worth of household goods. We just hope the shipping company in Florida doesn't charge more upon receipt of the car as well. With the house sold, my car sold, the furniture sold, winter clothes and surplus toys in storage, and now our car being shipped to the island, we are definitely close to being on our way!

Goodbye Camphor Avenue

Goodbye Camphor Avenue

We have lived in this house for the last 7 years. It is where we brought home our first dog, Sunny and our first cat, Pippi. Later came our second dog Lola and our first son Ezra. When we moved in, the house was full of wallpaper, brass lighting fixtures, and felt wood carpet left over from Michael's grandparents. The transformation from a 70's home complete with cottage cheese ceilings and wood-paneled walls to an updated California classic style home lasted the entirety of our stay. First time guests to our home were always told it was a work in progress. And now that it is complete, we have 3 weeks to live in it the way we always envisioned it. After 24 hours of being on the market, our first house has sold to a young couple in their 20s. Our stay here has come to an end as another couple is about to begin their series of firsts. I wonder if this house will be a launching pad for them as it was for us? In 3 weeks we will be living in a hotel on the island of St. Maarten. We are renting a furnished apartment for 20 months while Michael begins his studies as a medical student at the American University of the Caribbean. Our new firsts will be living on an island in the Caribbean, Michael being a medical student, and me being a full time stay at home mom. We are looking forward to this new part of our lives together as we fondly say farewell to our first home on Camphor Avenue.

Passport Photos

These are the photos that Michael took to go into our passports we ordered a few weeks ago.  We are moving to St. Maarten, one of the Lesser Antilles islands of the Caribbean, where Michael will begin his medical studies at the American University of the Caribbean.  We will spend 20 months on the island, where Michael will be involved in classroom studies and Ezra and I will be exploring our new surroundings together.  While Michael gets the opportunity to fulfill his dream of becoming a doctor, I am going to be fulfilling mine of being a full-time mom.  We are both looking forward to our new roles and surroundings and to recreating our lives together.  Just when we were getting comfortable with the idea of spending the rest of our lives here in the house we call home, we are leaving to complete a course of study that will bring us to many places and an unknown final destination.  Just when we thought our world traveling days would be at a rest until Ezra would be old enough to remember them, we are about to take him on a journey that we hope will nurture his soul as well as each of our own.  Our passports are the gateway for the path ahead of us.  This is the beginning.