The pages turn.

Life transitions forward as we begin the tenth year of CarpeSummer and the first summer of my 7^th decade. 

Kent, Kate and Ben moved away; Zara and Jack visit nearby; Allyson and I moved across town; and my spiritual home no longer includes my vacation home.  The overall feeling is both disorientation and excitement, like wandering the warrens of a market in a third-world country.  It’s eager anticipation of the new school year while grieving the loss of summer friends and freedom. 

K, K and B needed relief from oppressive job demands and inadequate living space.  Their perseverance through a couple of tough years should lay the foundation for a fulfilling life.  Their presence in my life has been rewarding in too many aspects to count.  Just one example: walking with Kent in October 2017 was the genesis for moving out of The Pearl District.  I enjoyed our relaxing, peaceful walk where we engaged in thoughtful conversation, which is difficult to do in Downtown, The Pearl District, or ChinaTown / Entertainment District (a.k.a. Drug Acquisition District).

From June 2018 through June 2019, I’ve moved out three times:  Condo to Apartment, Apartment to new home, and moved out of Trout Lake.  Each time, I have culled and culled and culled again.  Little things, like donating the otherwise terrific shirt that almost fits.  Big things, including comfortable chairs.  And bigger things, like an extra home in which I nested comfortably after 14 years of making things just so.

Many of the items disowned were attached to memories.  While another will enjoy a painting, she will not see its shadow of us happily visiting the art fair on that sunny, July afternoon.  Other items preserved capabilities.  Now lacking a table saw, I’ve lost the freedom to make certain things myself. 

The moves encouraged me to analyze what I need, what I want, and what I do not want.  It forced me to consider who I was and who I am (especially the boxes of photos and trove of letters) and what I want for the future. 

Today, I pair the old saying, “You don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone” with you don’t know what’s beyond the horizon until you get to the horizon.  I have a deeper appreciation for family, long-time friends and special places now more than ever.  I can hardly wait to engage new people and new places.