Roaming Tennessee Girl

what matters

Growing older brings about a variety of changes...things that never hurt before hurt, energy doesn't last as long, little interest in staying up late or going to new different places, etc. Over the last few weeks I have realized that leaving gets harder when you're older. When I have moved away from home before, I was always bouncing with eagerness. Bring on the new state, new country and new everything was my motto. I rarely shed any tears or whined about being nervous. Excited energy has always been the norm. I firmly believe it is easier to leave than be the one left behind. But being older and wiser means I realize what I am leaving.

In a few days I will hopefully be fully packed and flying to a new home. I am going to live in the New Jersey land of big hair and overly Italian accents. I am excited and really looking for a totally new adventure as a nanny! It will be a completely different world with 2 children to care for instead of 24:) Close to the beach and NYC...pretty sure no other location could be better...BUT

I am going to miss some things from here. I love my job. It is stressful at times, and they drive me nuts. Some of the children have taken a little piece of my heart. I will miss the hundreds of hugs I get everyday from my 24 grubby monsters. The relationships I have built with the other teachers especially my assistant have sustained more than I ever thought possible.

Relationships matter to me. I know who I want to be friends with and the ones I want to last. Right now for the first time ever I want to keep all my friends and hold them close! Saturday shopping trips and mid week girls night out won't be as spontantous or often not an option...It makes me sad to not know when I will see someone again. I know that relationships change. Will we still want to be friends when we live several states apart...

Community is a blessing. To have fellow Christians to do life with isn't always an option for some people. I know what it is like to not have believers in my life, and it makes everything twice as difficult. I have been blessed for the last 2 almost 3 years to have a community of believers and that make going to church worth it. I have been able to teach bible study and watch them grow. They have challenged me to dig deeper and learn more. I won't find another group quite like meat-n-taters:)

Yes...I will miss more shallow things like Sonic on every corner and deep fried southern food, but the relationships are what matter and will be missed...

posted by deanna @ 1:09 PM