kaari & kirsten @ mt. baker
The closer I get to changing zip codes, the more I think of things I'm going to miss about living in this community. A hundred miles really isn't too far, but it does necessitate that will life will change a bit, so I'm taking stock of what those things are that I'm going to miss the most. Now lemme grab a tissue and we'll get started ...
1. My sis. I'm really going to miss living with my sister and getting to see her every day. Few people know me as well and manage not only to tolerate me, but actually to love me. I'm going to miss sharing dinners, tasting her amazing gluten-free confections when they're fresh from the oven, and just getting to hang out together. I'm going to miss how she'll do the dishes even when it's not her turn, but she just does it because she can tell I'm just too tired to stand. I just don't know what I'm going to do with the other half of my brain. Time to move on now, I'm about to cry ...
2. My commute. I'm really going to miss the 4-minute commute. Yep, it really takes me just four minutes to get to work in the morning. My new commute will be reasonable (15-20 minutes), but nothing like the one I've got now.
3. I heart the Co-op. I'm going to miss the Food Co-op. These are my peeps! This place really is so much more than a place to buy all my gluten-free, dairy-free, and organic groceries. This place really is a hub of the community and employs some of the best, funniest, and most compassionate people I know in this town. And I have it on good authority that they are going to miss me, too.
4. CTK Bellingham. Don't even get me started on my church (to which I also enjoy a short commute, as it is directly across the street from where I work). I cannot even contemplate leaving this place without tears beginning to flow. I don't doubt that there are fantastic churches in the greater Seattle area that I would love, but this church really is my family and you just don't go out and get a new family. I love them too much and the thought of not being there ... okay, let's just not go there. I'll be commuting. It's worth it.
5. Easy access to Mom. My mom works at a small local family-owned business that is as laid back as you'll find (this is Bellingham, after all). I'll swing by after work and walk myself right behind the counter. It's great to say hello, to chat about whatever is going on, or to get the kind of hugs that only a Mom can give. I'm really going to miss that.
Oh, Kirst. This post made my heart break for you. I feel so sad for you to be facing these things. I know how close you are to your mom and your sis. I know how much you love your church. I know the Co-op is a place you positively adore. And I know that the commute is right around the corner -- I've seen it with my own eyes!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry you're having to face all these goodbyes, or at least goodbyes to what these things are in your life in their current incarnation. Love you, girl.
Sigh. A lot to miss. I can only pray that there's a lot to gain on the other side. And that you will never regret this move.
ReplyDeleteThat made we want to cry too! Especially leaving your sister. :(
ReplyDeleteGeez louise...more tears!
ReplyDeleteUgh...I don't want to think about it. But I am excited for you and the new opportunities you will get to experience. And I'm excited to come and stay with you Elyse and Anna in your new place.
Maybe you'll let me bake cupcakes in your HUGE kitchen!
love you lots!
Kirsten, one thing that touched me about your list is that four out of five were PEOPLE (and even cooler that two of those were family). That really shows where your heart is!
ReplyDeleteOh my, my heart aches just thinking of this. I know the feeling. If I had to leave Colorado Springs right now I would loose part of my brain. I do not have family here, but lots of friends and connections that are truly irreplaceable.
ReplyDeleteGod is so cool though. I bet the minute you step into your new place you wull connect with a neighbor who knows a great church and is a vegan or who knows about a great local farmers market and who has been looking for a cool single gal to hang around with. You are going to fit just fine there, I just know it.
There's so much loss here--it weighs heavy on me, for you and for all you're leaving. I'm so glad I got to see Bellingham before you had to leave...I'm glad I know the places and the people you mention.
ReplyDeleteThis made me want to cry, and I'm not the one moving! So sorry you have to leave all this beauty.
ReplyDeletechristianne -- i'm so thankful that you understand how these things tug at my heart, and how you got to experience so many of them with me.
ReplyDeletel.l. - much to miss, truly. i hope i can trust that after the letting go, my hands will be filled with something new.
jodi - leaving sis is a hard one. i really can't think of it without feeling those telling pricks at the corners of my eyes!
kaari - oh geeze. what are we going to do? i'm going to miss you so much.
rebecca - that's an observation i had not made myself -- thank you for pointing it out!! and that's true: home & bellingham is all about the people for me.
carl - i know good things will come. i just wish it didn't mean i had to distance myself from these good things. oh, to have my faith stretched! ouch.
heather - i'm sorry i have to leave it too. i hope & pray God has something amazing planned to put in its place.
sarah - how did i not respond to you? this is grief, for certain. i'm glad you got to be here too, to know and to experience some of what this place means to me. love you!
ReplyDeleteYes, change is hard, hard, hard.
ReplyDeleteMay the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back.
The sun shine warm upon your face, the rain fall soft upon your fields,
and until you're at home again, may God hold you in the palm of His/Her hand!
This list makes me want to cry! Peace and blessings as you experience loss and the coming of new good things.
ReplyDelete