The Odd Couple

Traveling with Pets is fun, except for having to make frequent stops for their bathroom breaks. And except for the pet hair and space they take up. When you travel with pets you can't just park and leave them in the car, someone has to stay with them so you are unable to go into a restaurant and chill.

Traveling with pets is fun...yeah right.

Earthly Treasures

Moving is a strange phenom. You must physically touch every single item you own and pack it in a box (or plastic garbage bag). After an hour or so it is evident how much stuff is in your possession. The task becomes more interesting when you are only allotted a certain amount of space in which to put your stuff. There is more stuff than there is space on the moving trailer. You have a conundrum. The task of evaluation begins and your stuff is judged. My judgment was done on a sentimental scale, my husband's on a practical, "recreational scale." Scrap books of my children, photos and wooden items crafted by grandfather made my cut. Camping gear, a basketball, football, and a dozen pair of work-out shoes made my husband's cut.

In the beginning the decisions are loose and casual, most everything gets in. After two days and only room for one more box on the trailer, some of the same things you would have kept the day before are now in the give-a-way pile. I'm glad God doesn't judge like this.

So now we are on the road (in Long Beach California) with a packed trailer and truck. Everything we own is neatly tucked in a box or stuffed in a bag. (except for some artwork, a Chinese trunk and an antique sewing machine refinished by my Grandfather). These few items are being kept by my son and his wife. This whole process has been a lesson in what really matters. Opening your hand and letting go of what you think you own.

Unemployed

Today was my last day as an employee of GGBTS RMC. I am now unemployed. After 5 years my co-workers have become my second family and my job has been one of the only consistent elements in my life. In the last 5 years I have watched 2 of my sons graduate college and 1 graduate High School. Of my 3 sons my 2 youngest moved to LA to pursue acting careers and my oldest got married and started a video production company (with the help of his father-in-law). My husband left his corporate job of 20 years to go to nursing school. My husband and I sold our house of 9 years in the suburbs and moved to Capitol Hill. We traded a quiet neighborhood, where the occasional barking of a dog would send some neighbors into fits of rage over their shattered silence, for a quiet neighborhood where homeless folks occasionally asked for handouts, over indulgent partiers relieved themselves in the front yard and gay men shared stories on the local coffee-shop patio. While shopping in suburban King Soopers I overheard conversations about little Johnny hitting a home-run in T-ball. Shopping in the Capitol Hill King Soopers I heard conversations about Johnny dating Bruce. People in the city are edgier, but real. People seem to be more preoccupied with the day to day living and/or surviving and less obsessed with "the small stuff." So all this to say, my life has been ever changing, all except my place of employment. Until today.

I'm glad for my past 5 years at Golden Gate and the people I have worked side by side with. I'm also glad for this new adventure. When we first considered moving Downtown I thought I would despise living in the city and now I'm so sad to be leaving it. Living in the city has taught me so much and so too I believe this next adventure into the unknown will also teach me a lot. As I leave Denver for a small island off the coast of Alaska with a population of 8000, I am so excited for what's in store.

When God calls you out of your comfortable life, He's got better stuff in store for you. So here's a big thank you to all my co-workers and partners in ministry. I will miss you all, but as a friend once said, "If I don't see you in this life, I'll see you in glory." I just hope that between now and then I will get a job.

Today at 9:30pm my friend Loren is helping me set up my blog.