This Week . . . We Move

This week . . . we move.

Three years ago finishing my degree seemed nothing more than a hope, and realistically unfathomable.

The degree has been earned. And, it was earned. Sweat. Tears. Blood. And more tears. It changed me. It changed us.

And this week, we move. The sun is setting on this chapter of our life adventure.

Most everything is boxed and waiting to be loaded. The van is ready for the cross country trip back to Michigan. And we are about as emotionally ready as we can be.

Grief is real. Grief cannot be dismissed. It cannot be downplayed. Grief is a part of being human. Grief is a part of knowing you have lived and have been touched. Without grief there can be no joy, and without joy there can be no grief.

We have said goodbye to many of the important relationships that we established here. Friday night we had dinner with our dearest friends––a couple who really knew our story. Tonight, our neighborhood is throwing us a goodbye BBQ. Our neighborhood is the most loving and caring neighborhood I have ever lived in. Tomorrow I am going to my internship site to say goodbye to the men who helped transform me.

The boxes tell me we are moving. I can't imagine life without the people we will be returning to, and I can't imagine life without the people we leave behind. The boxes tell me change is waiting. My wife and my heart tell me change has already come to me.

The truck and loaders come Wednesday morning to load the boxes filled with things that prompt memories and reflections. Memories and reflections of grief and joy. When the truck leaves, we leave.

We have three travel options:
1. Seattle to Spokane; Spokane to Livingston, MT; a whole day at Yellowstone, then back to Livingston, MT; Livingston, MT to Mt Rushmore, SD; Mt Rushmore, SD to The Biggest Ball of Twine in MN (made famous by this 'Weird Al' song, which we play and sing over and over); The Biggest Ball of Twine in MN to Rockford, IL; Rockford, IL to Rockford, MI.






2. Pretty much the same as 1, but we travel to Michigan via the Upper Peninsula.






3. We skip the Biggest Ball of Twine if the moving truck will be to our new home sooner than expected.






We expect to be at our new place sometime between Monday August 1 and Wednesday August 3. Part of me will still be in Seattle, and part of me will be in Michigan.

Thank You, Study Buddy

Thanks, Moose, for being my Study Buddy over the last 18 months of school.

The Weather

Late yesterday afternoon we stepped out of the house to head to church for VBS. Alina was ahead of me and said, "Whoa! It's not raining! And, it feels kinda warm!" The sad thing is that "kinda warm" was a balmy 57º.

Toyota Commercial

This commercial always makes me giggle.

The Hardest Goodbye

Last night was my hardest goodbye. Besides my family, this person was the most influential person in my life and for growth during my time here. We will keep in touch over Skype, but will it be the same? Such a good and beautiful person. I feel a lot of grief and a huge loss in my life.

Graduation Celebration

Graduation was two weeks ago. It has been a busy few weeks. My mom and Jean's parents arrived on June 22. My Aunt Sue and Wally arrived June 23. Besides graduation activities, we went to Pike's Market. The day after graduation the kids, my mom, Sue and Wally, and I headed to Tillamook, OR to the cheese/ice cream/milk factory, and then to Canon Beach. It was a great, great day. On Tuesday the kids, my mom, Sue and Wally, and I went to the Klondike/Gold Rush Museum, Pioneer Square area, and we toured Qwest Field (where the Seahawks play). The tour was amazing. We were able to see places few people get to see. Sam was even able to give a post-game interview, just like coach Pete Carroll. On Wednesday Jean was able to get the day off of work, and join us for a trip to the San Juans. Her parents joined us that day, too. Sue and Wally left Thursday, and Jean's parents left last Saturday. My mom was able to stay until this past Wednesday. Thursday was spent packing for the big move.

With all of the activity, graduation hasn't really sunk in yet. This video helps it sink in. It also helps me remember my dear friend Sonny, who passed away during Spring semester. His dear wife accepted his degree on his behalf.

Graduation June 25 2011 from Ed Ballance on Vimeo.