MOVE IT AND LOSE IT

so i have begun the arduous task of packing things up, cleaning and junking superfluous things in my life. it's amazing how much STUFF one can accumulate over a 5 year period.

i am headed to my mom and dad's place in a week and half to go lounge around and soak up that warm dry-heat climate... i'm super stoked. so as not to be wasteful of good resources, i am also packing up two extra suitcases with things that can be taken via united airlines vs. spending mucho deniro shipping a gazillion boxes full of things.

basically my parents, who had already planned a trip with a few siblings and their families to Disneyland, are driving a few things out to CA for me (i LOVE them for that), since i have made the decision to sell my car and all of my belongings and just fly out there. shipping on the most important basics of my life.

today's task was to decide what goes, what stays, what gets shipped later and what gets junked! what a fun and interesting trip down memory lane as i sifted through old christmas cards, pictures, journals, notes and drawings by the many children i have come to call friends here. i was filled to the brim with nostalgia.

i was also struck by the reality of what i am doing. i'm leaving boston. i'm going. away. this isn't a vacation... i won't be living here anymore.

i guess this is the feeling most kids have when they leave home for the first time. the nervous, sad feeling to be leaving the only thing they've ever known.

i know what you're thinking. i didn't grow up here and on the contrary i have lived thousands of miles away for most of my life. but boston HAS been the place i grew up. the place i love to call home. the place that fits me like a glove. and leaving it is going to be so hard.

with a few boxes already packed and some things already junked, my room is already beginning to feel bare. to most of you, it probably wouldn't look any different, but to me the effects of the 'things' going away is already starting to tug at my heart strings.

ahhh boston, don't worry... i will come back as soon as i can. i won't be gone for long!

OH THE PLACES SHE'LL GO!

once upon a time, in the land called the bean
lived the happiest girl that you ever had seen
she was bright, she was fun
she had talents galore
but deep in her heart she knew there was more

time passed by oh so quick, as quick as a hare
and before she knew it, her "sparkle" cupboards were bare
she felt down, she moped on
the confusion pressed down
in her usual way, she had to fight down each frown

slowly the answers came from above
small spurts of knowledge sent with much love
she ignored, she rebelled
tried sweeping under the bed
but those answers kept poking inside of her head

with tears and trepidation a prayer was said with closed eyes
and made the choice to follow what she knew she'd despise
she weeped, she wailed
she gnashed all of her teeth
when the decision was final, she felt oh so much peace

as much as she fought it she knew it was right
she would pack all her things and and bid boston goodnight
she told family and friends
the hardest words to be told
she told her job, made it official- it was really quite bold

"where are you going?" they all asked in much shock
"why would leave our cozy little flock"
she winced, she smiled
"because i know it's alright
though i have no clue what's ahead, what's in sight"

children's production has always been in my dreams
in L.A. there are so many more chances it seems
she trusts and she hopes
that what's in store is more rich
than the things she'd have chosen for her life and her sitch

so in september boston will bid goodbye
until this chapter in her life no longer has a 'why'
she persists, she fights on
she'll go wherever it takes
to see what the Lord has in store for her life, what He makes

don't worry about this crazy little girl
she may be sad that her life, once again is a whirl
but she's still smiles and sparkles
and will win in the end
because she listened to promptings of her trusted, true friend