18 Days
We have 18 days left before we move to Atlanta.
Moving to California was quite an adjustment. The weather's different, the people are different, the traffic is different. It took a while for it to feel normal. It took a while to make friends. And now we're leaving. This move will be different, because neither of us have lived in Atlanta. Even though I've lived in the south, I have no idea what living in a big city in the south will be like.
It's funny when I tell people we're moving. Even those that barely know me do that same expression - you know, head slightly rotated to the side, surprised and slightly sad expression. I watch their eyes, wondering what they're really thinking. Are they imagining what it will be like when we're gone? Are they thinking that they'll miss us, or are they concentrating on appearing as though they'll miss us? It's weird to know that even though right now you're a part of someone's life, soon you won't be. It may take weeks or it may take years, but their lives will enclose the void you leave and they'll move on. I'm sure that's what has happened in the lives of my friends that I left in Alabama. And it's weird to know that I won't just fall back in when I move geographically closer, that it will probably never be quite the same.
But I suppose that's part of growing up - at least for me. I realize that there are few constants - I'll keep a few close relationships (God, Brandon, some family members, close friends) and others I'll treasure during the time I have them. In a way we're all passing through anyway. It's tempting to hold back, to not allow yourself to make real friendships because it will hurt when it's over. But I guess that's all part of it.
Moving to California was quite an adjustment. The weather's different, the people are different, the traffic is different. It took a while for it to feel normal. It took a while to make friends. And now we're leaving. This move will be different, because neither of us have lived in Atlanta. Even though I've lived in the south, I have no idea what living in a big city in the south will be like.
It's funny when I tell people we're moving. Even those that barely know me do that same expression - you know, head slightly rotated to the side, surprised and slightly sad expression. I watch their eyes, wondering what they're really thinking. Are they imagining what it will be like when we're gone? Are they thinking that they'll miss us, or are they concentrating on appearing as though they'll miss us? It's weird to know that even though right now you're a part of someone's life, soon you won't be. It may take weeks or it may take years, but their lives will enclose the void you leave and they'll move on. I'm sure that's what has happened in the lives of my friends that I left in Alabama. And it's weird to know that I won't just fall back in when I move geographically closer, that it will probably never be quite the same.
But I suppose that's part of growing up - at least for me. I realize that there are few constants - I'll keep a few close relationships (God, Brandon, some family members, close friends) and others I'll treasure during the time I have them. In a way we're all passing through anyway. It's tempting to hold back, to not allow yourself to make real friendships because it will hurt when it's over. But I guess that's all part of it.
