Drew and I do not think alike at all. He is patiently enduring of my ideas, but not necessarily committed to following them. I am willing to work with him, but concerned that this move will not be smooth or straightforward. He thinks like an engineer. Everything is compartmentalized and logical. I think like a musician. Everything is sequential and fits neatly together in the big picture.
I want to start with the bathroom and my bedroom - the rooms both most necessary at the end of the day and the farthest from the door of either place. Expend the most energy earliest in the day, leave the easy stuff for later when you are tired and don't want to trip over stuff to get all the way into the apartment with heavy stuff.
The only thing we agree on is that the big stuff has to wait until evening when my sister has agreed to allow us to use her van. Perhaps it is best that Drew's new job decided he should work 9 am to 2 pm. Now we have no choice but for me to begin where I am able given my strength and energy limitations and for me to go as far as I can on my own. Thankfully a dear friend heard of my plight and came to the rescue, working alongside me (and dancing circles around my slow plodding determination) to help me. Without her, I would have been sunk.
By the time I pick Drew up from work, I am ready to quit and he is ready to go. I stay at the new place and put stuff away, emptying boxes for repacking. They keep working. My friend is a blessed dynamo of energy and a good sport. Imagine doing such demanding work out of sheer kindness! Before I am ready to realize how late it is getting, Kiel and Andrea come to help, then my sister. We all work long into the night, they taking care of the last few things after I have collapsed into bed. We managed to get everything out, leaving only the cleaning to be done. How fortunate I am to have children willing to help, not to mention friends! And someone to take care of Sugar while we move so she will not be underfoot. I recognize how blessed I am, especially in this day and age of isolation and family separation. So many older people are alone. I am glad not to be.
After a hot shower, I settle in to my new bedroom, scrunching down in the clean sheets and listening to new noises. The air conditioning unit outside my window rumbles when it kicks on. The train whistle I could hear from my apartment 2 miles away is louder here, but more cheery. I hear a thump or two of feet from my neighbors who live over me. The front door skrawks as it opens - Sugar whines a bit, but settles close to me, her eyes darting about the strange place, her nose sniffing the air.
I am too tired to drink it all in tonight. I will gradually absorb the newness as I settle in. Tonight, I unwind intentionally and soon drift off, thanking God I have the opportunity to live in such a nice place with so many benefits and closer to work. Imagine a laundry right in my own apartment! Imagine a private entrance with no stairs. Imagine central air and white woodwork and a shiny new kitchen. Imagine everything laid out close yet open and filled with sun. Imagine the beautiful landscaping and the green lawns and the marshy area nearby with lots of wild flowers and I am sure, wildlife. Yes, I am lucky to be able to live here and will enjoy it for as long as the blessing lasts.
I want to start with the bathroom and my bedroom - the rooms both most necessary at the end of the day and the farthest from the door of either place. Expend the most energy earliest in the day, leave the easy stuff for later when you are tired and don't want to trip over stuff to get all the way into the apartment with heavy stuff.
The only thing we agree on is that the big stuff has to wait until evening when my sister has agreed to allow us to use her van. Perhaps it is best that Drew's new job decided he should work 9 am to 2 pm. Now we have no choice but for me to begin where I am able given my strength and energy limitations and for me to go as far as I can on my own. Thankfully a dear friend heard of my plight and came to the rescue, working alongside me (and dancing circles around my slow plodding determination) to help me. Without her, I would have been sunk.
By the time I pick Drew up from work, I am ready to quit and he is ready to go. I stay at the new place and put stuff away, emptying boxes for repacking. They keep working. My friend is a blessed dynamo of energy and a good sport. Imagine doing such demanding work out of sheer kindness! Before I am ready to realize how late it is getting, Kiel and Andrea come to help, then my sister. We all work long into the night, they taking care of the last few things after I have collapsed into bed. We managed to get everything out, leaving only the cleaning to be done. How fortunate I am to have children willing to help, not to mention friends! And someone to take care of Sugar while we move so she will not be underfoot. I recognize how blessed I am, especially in this day and age of isolation and family separation. So many older people are alone. I am glad not to be.
After a hot shower, I settle in to my new bedroom, scrunching down in the clean sheets and listening to new noises. The air conditioning unit outside my window rumbles when it kicks on. The train whistle I could hear from my apartment 2 miles away is louder here, but more cheery. I hear a thump or two of feet from my neighbors who live over me. The front door skrawks as it opens - Sugar whines a bit, but settles close to me, her eyes darting about the strange place, her nose sniffing the air.
I am too tired to drink it all in tonight. I will gradually absorb the newness as I settle in. Tonight, I unwind intentionally and soon drift off, thanking God I have the opportunity to live in such a nice place with so many benefits and closer to work. Imagine a laundry right in my own apartment! Imagine a private entrance with no stairs. Imagine central air and white woodwork and a shiny new kitchen. Imagine everything laid out close yet open and filled with sun. Imagine the beautiful landscaping and the green lawns and the marshy area nearby with lots of wild flowers and I am sure, wildlife. Yes, I am lucky to be able to live here and will enjoy it for as long as the blessing lasts.
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