Belonging Matters

As I drove back from visiting Florida to my new home yesterday, it all hit me. I was leaving the place I have belonged for the last 30 years behind me. It didn't feel good either. I vacillated between wanting to cry and drive on to wanting to turn my car around and go back.

There's no easy answer. I fought to move back to Florida during the "Storm of the Century" in 1993. My brother and I braved snow and ice down I-65 South to Montgomery to move me back to Florida. I had a new job, house across the beach, and roommate waiting on me. I just had to get there. All because I had built a new network of like-minded friends that I missed.

This current move to Tennessee is primarily for my son. Better healthcare, more job opportunities, and he can run down his dream to be a Nashville songwriter. I'm 100% onboard for him, but I feel lost for me. At my age, it's hard to get my head around leaving my network of family and friends in Florida to start all over in Tennessee.

I guess as I write it out, I am his network now. Time for me to grow up and realize I will be the net to help catch him like my family has been for me through thick and thin. I thought raising him was the end of it. Haha! And here we are.

I'm okay with it. I have a strong need to be needed, anyway. I like to support and help people get to their dreams. I am accepting my new role and forging ahead with clarity. Before it's over, it will all come together.