Bubbles

I live in two bubbles. One’s in Florida and one’s in Michigan. I call them bubbles because once I’m home in either state I tend to stay close by.  Each location has what I want and need close at hand.  There’s no reason to travel too far.

Ruth and I worked for a lot of years to earn the funds to do so. It’s not inexpensive to own two homes but we were both proud of our accomplishment. One of us couldn’t have done it. Working together was key.

Did we need two homes? No. Did we enjoy our lot in life? Yes.

After she died, I decided to keep the status quo for at least a year. It’ll be three on Saturday. I’ve moved back and forth trying to figure my life out. What would be my “next move”?

I returned to Florida last Monday with an eye on making some changes this year. Nothing drastic. Ruth had one of our bedrooms set up as a craft area for her. She had an expansive work area, a ton of storage, and a mountain of supplies. I’ve used one corner for my computer, but now that I’m back I’m going to completely rearrange things. It’s going to be a bedroom, so I’ll have more room when the kids come down.

I’m going to have the landscaping refreshed and brightened a bit. Again, I haven’t done much for the past three years so it’s time.

I’m also going to return to the things I like doing… golf, playing cards, my memoir writing group, my Singles New Beginnings group, going to the gym, hanging out with friends, and dancing in the squares.  I’m also signing up for several enrichment classes. If things go as planned, I’ll be leading a group of Singles New Beginning sometime this fall.

I started to expand my options last January and I’m going to continue.  I don’t know where I’ll end up but standing still wasn’t good for me.  I don’t think it’s good for anyone.  Once I started moving forward, my outlook on life improved.  My life isn’t perfect but it’s the best it’s been since Ruth’s passing.

I plan to return to my Michigan bubble next May.  Eva graduates on the 22nd and Brady turns 21 on June 2nd.  Big plans to celebrate both are being made as I write this.

I think we have two paths to follow once we lose someone.  We stand still and wait for our end, or we can keep moving forward.  If I would have moved on before Ruth, she would have worked to move forward without me.  I’m doing the same.  Life’s different now but I’m doing my best to enjoy my new beginning.