Process

Moving is such a process. This move has been so, so much easier than the last two, in that we were coming back to something beloved and familiar.

Street Art

Albeit we have been in the midst of a major decision just now, that brought me at least to face some of my lingering grief from leaving in 2012. We have the opportunity to move back to our old apartment, where we lived before, and in the beginning that was our plan. In fact when I inquired to find out if the apartment would be available for us this fall, it felt like a "sign" that the answer was "very likely."

So at first we thought we'd be in this villa for a few weeks, but as time dragged on regarding the other apartment we got more and more used to being here. We have our rhythms and routines organized, we know where to shop for everything, and people in the neighborhood are friendly. Our landlady is... very involved, with both the pros and cons that come with that, but on balance it's mostly great. But after two months in this home it has grown on us, and there are enough pros and cons both ways that it has been really, really hard to make a final decision.

Evening moonrise

But, I think we are going to stay here. There are so many things I love about this flat, and I've come to realize over the past couple of days that it's not about trying to recapture the past but about moving into and building something new.



Our life now is not what it was then, the kids are in school, far from the baby/toddler stage. So this is not the room where we celebrated Gabriel's first birthday or where Valerie taught herself to read, but it is the place where we can make new good memories.

Halloween Ninjas

 So we have a little time yet to make a sure decision but I feel a lot of peace and happiness about staying here.