Learning To Let Go and Move On

I’ve been down with the flu, then bronchitis and generally out of sorts for over a month. Three antibiotics, two inhalers and weeks of bed rest. Seriously sick. I’ve popped into a few blogs to try and stay in touch, but frankly, it’s been tough.

 

Unfortunately I was also too sick to go finish the packing and move out of our house on Vancouver Island.
The process still happened without me. It had to because the house was sold. I just wasn’t part of it.
A friend wisely observed that a lung infection was a pretty clear message (from my body) to stay away from the very emotional house-closing. I was having second and third and fourth thoughts about selling that house…but it was done and there was no going back.
I loved walking my dogs at Rathtreaver Beach and knew I’d never do it again.

Very from Vancouver Island

 

We’d been up in November to sell most of what we didn’t want, and start some of the packing…but there was still a lot of work to do.
The weather was lousy and gray, but it reminded me of the Blustery days days we’d spent settled before a roaring fire, content to read and listen to the storms.

 

Luckily, my son offered to fly up and help my husband get us out of there.

Sadly, neither one had a clue what they were doing.

 

There are no labels or indication of contents, on any of the boxes. The writing that is on some of the boxes, was from our last move… and has no correlation to what’s in them this time. Several boxes came from the supermarket and don’t have tops. When they opened the truck I just stood there. In shock.

 

It looked likeĀ wasĀ a junk heap crammed into the back of a Uhaul. I had to laugh when I saw they’d left the sheets on the mattresses! Trust me, I had to. At least they rolled up my Persian carpets.

True confession here? I’m a bit of aĀ totalĀ neurotic about how things should be done…and this didn’t even come close to my vision.

And so, this is where I learn to roll with the punches and let go of what I can not change.

Everything has now gone into storage until we decide what we’re going to do with ourselves and where we want to live.

I am grateful they didn’t arbitrarily decide to toss things I may have wanted, but my work is cut out for me when we decide to settle somewhere.

 

My favorite days, by far, were spent here on my deck chair. I never tired of the changing view. It was like sitting in front of a giant movie screen. There was always something interesting to see.

And now that I’ve taken this trip down memory lane, I’m sad all over again.

Time to rise to the occasion and remember why we did this. It was time. I can’t really say why it was…I just knew it was time to move on to a new adventure.

I will never skip getting my annual flu shot again. Never.

63 Comments

  1. Oh Jennifer! I was meant to read this post today. I feel so bad for you and I can relate on so many levels. Do you know I got sick the day after Christmas with a cold and cough that only left me a week ago? Believe me, now that I’m healthy again I realize how being sick colored my view of things. And left me prone to feeling overwhelmed.
    I need to go back through your blog and find out why you’re moving, but we are clearly going through many of the same poignant emotions that come with letting go and moving on. Loss is so hard. I’m right behind you, with the house process. Today we got our home inspection done and tomorrow we get our appraisal report back. in the meantime I’m walking around in a sentimental fog, taking lots of photos and noticing all the little things I loved about living in our home. Today I took a photo of my view out the kitchen window. Every morning when I made coffee I looked out onto the tree-lined street and watched the neighborhood wake up, and I even felt sadness about this small loss. Hang in there my friend. I just saw a quote that lifted my spirits. “In every ending there is a new beginning.” And we have so many wonderful things ahead of us. Don’t sweat the boxes, my boxes look the same I’m sorry to say… I have absolutely no idea how I will find things when I finally unpack.
    Make your health and rest your first priority. And everything else will fall into place. Sending you all my positive energy and prayers for a smooth transition….
    xo
    Leslie

  2. Always sad to say goodbye to a beloved place.
    Yes, your body is certainly sending you a message!

  3. Jennifer,
    I have been having problems with leaving comments of late. You have been in my thoughts and prayers as we prepare for our annual trip to Whistler soon. I am hoping it will be a clear day for the beautiful drive along the Sea to Sky Highway.

    I am also hoping that you are on the mend. Please do not “over do”, there can be a relapse, or pneumonia.

    I think I may have told you that we had a boat may years ago, and spent a couple Summer vacations in the Canadian San Juan’s and Vancouver Island. It’s glory is one of the world’s best kept secrets.

    I am relieved that you are still going to be blogging. I would miss your beautiful touches of sincerity and class!
    Send hugs and wishes for a full recovery.
    w/L

  4. Sorry to read you have been ill. Hope you are feeling better!

  5. I’m sorry you’ve been sick, Jennifer. I hope you’re better very soon! Your pic’s are lovely. THis is my home so looking all familiar to me. We like to take a trip to Tofino once a year and it looks very similar to your beautiful second home. Time for you and your family to move on to new adventures šŸ™‚

    1. Torino is so wonderful, we love going out there. I will forever remember the majestic beauty of that home. Vancouver is a stunning city. Lucky you!!

  6. Your post has reminded me just how traumatic moving house tends to be and it doesn’t help if you are feeling unwell. I’m a control freak too and I like all the boxes labelled too. I’m sure you will find somewhere you will love and with it comes all the excitiement of making it home.

  7. Jennifer, Cannot believe what a terrible bug you have been dealing with. So sorry that it’s been so rough.That coupled with the move is too much. I’ve gotten sick moving before. I’m like you a control freak, but you know getting less so as I age. Let go and it will all work itself out. You will find another place you love!
    Thinking of you. Take care! xo Kim

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