The Journey's We Take

A year ago, Jon and I had settled into a good routine.  During the week, I was in Charlotte and back to Hickory/Conover on the weekends.  Jon usually came down to Charlotte on Tuesday or Wednesday.  So, receiving phone calls and texts on Monday asking if he could come see me sent warning bells off in my head.  Of course, I now have an hour to ponder and speculate what is going on.  Did he just want to see me?  Possibly but not likely.  Was there a problem between the two of us? Oh, god I hope not.  Or was it a work situation?  If you are like me, you know all of those scenarios flew around my mind.  That seemed like the longest hour.

As we all know now, it was that work wanted him to transfer to Texas.  It was very obvious that this was the path we would need to follow.  That began the hardest period of my adult life.  I was lost in the thought of having to start over.  The only saving grace was having my best friend and soul mate there with me on this journey.

I moved a lot while growing up.  I learned at the ripe age of 6 that people would be in my life short term.  Our car was loaded and we said goodbye to our neighbors and great friends on Carr Street in Greensboro.  I remember crying so hard I got sick.  I went to 10 schools in the 12 years of regular education, so I eventually built up a lot of walls.  I became friendly and everyone knew me, but getting close to others took a lot of time and courage. In my mind, people were just temporary until the next move.  Why let them get close and hurt me when I move again?

Those who saw past the introverted new girl, found a friend for life.  Kim Holladay from the 4th grade - we still email all of these years later, Bonnie Bryant Howland and many others from Hawthorne Junior High School - still a part of my life, albeit not as frequently as I would like.  Ronette King from Broughton High School.  Denise Stanford Cook from UNCC and the way too long list of Jaycees from North Carolina.  (I would try to name them all, but I would sadly forget to list someone and all heck would break out!)

We've been in Texas nine months now.  I came into this knowing that I had to make it work or else I would be miserable and lonely. We are amused at the people who tell us "I've lived here for 10 years and have never been to Tyler State Park" or "I didn't know Tyler had a Women's Roller Derby Team".  I joked with Jon before we moved that we would be so freaking busy, we wouldn't know what to do with ourselves.  Since moving here:

• Jon joined the Astronomical Society of East Texas 
• I joined a Book Club and a Women's Social Club
• We joined the Outdoor Group of East Texas and the East Texas Trekkers
• I found a wine club that does monthly wine tastings
• Jon volunteered with the Ore City High School model rocketry club
• We both helped with the running of the inaugural Tyler Mini Maker Faire
• Found the local Jaycee chapter and are trying to get involved with them
• Found the closest HOBY site and are trying to get involved with them
• We signed up for the Texas State Parks annual passport to visit any park for free
• Participated in the UT Tyler Broadway Lights series for 2013 and have subscribed for 2014
• Became members at the TJC CESSE Planetarium and Discovery Science Place

We put together our calendar for the fall and can't believe how much is already on it. I'm looking forward to spending time with my husband as we explore more about our new home state of Texas!

Just watch out for the poison ivy! (Despite the popular belief that Texas is dry and dusty, much of the area we live in looks very similar to North Carolina, right down to the terrifying poison ivy.)