Monday, July 18, 2011

In the Transition

So we moved into our new home last Friday, July 8, and in the proceeding week, we moved stacks and furniture from room to room as we painted and refinished floors, connected services, unpacked boxes. It was tiring and intense. But Saturday was the test.

My parents drove with my two daughters from south Louisiana to Indianapolis to see their new home for the first time.

I was so worried about them. We've dragged them away from friends and familiarity, and I wanted them to like their new house. I wanted them to be happy with their rooms, and I wanted them to feel like this was a good thing.

All Saturday, we arranged their rooms, hung pictures, unloaded boxes, assembled little stuffed-animal clusters in welcoming configurations.

The clock was ticking because my "conquer the road" dad had started their journey in the night--they had a good four hours on us. We had to forget sneaking off to see the new Harry Potter, and focus on nesting.

And when my mom called to say they were eleven miles away, we switched into high gear. It was like in those old Captain Kangaroo sketches where they'd speed up the film and play that funny music... remember?

Nothing prepared me for seeing my two little girls' faces for the first time after a three-week separation. We all screamed--! Then we hugged each other and jumped up and down and kissed each other and hugged each other again.

Then we all grabbed hands and ran into the house, first to my room on the downstairs floor, then up the stairs to see their rooms (more squealing), then downstairs again (and again) to the basement to see where we'd set up a television and play area...

After killing myself all day, I was instantly adrenalized. And we kept it going until after 10 p.m., when it was still vaguely daylight but definitely bedtime.

Last night, as I lay in bed reading Carrie for the first time (*snort*), my mind wandered and I began to reflect on the day and all the spontaneous emotions we experienced. Then I thought about a few characters in books I've written, and I thought about the reality of scenes and how important it is to imbue them with true emotions the reader can feel.

While I can't wait to get back to writing again, and I've dubbed this summer "the summer I missed" (it's already mid-July?), these moments of intense, true emotion have made it worthwhile. They're worth savoring and then remembering for later use.

I hope you all had a super weekend and are enjoying your summer days. I'm over here unpacking, but trying to remember the stuff that's flying past as we transition.

Til Thursday~ <3

24 comments:

Sarah said...

Sounds like a wonderful reunion, and I hope you're getting settled into your new house! You're right, it is important to keep certain moments close and preserve them in your memory, but it's difficult because life just flies by.

Christine Danek said...

Congrats on the new house and a wonderful reunion with the girls. You're right sometimes things can slip by and we can miss the best moments. Treasure each one.
Hope you're settling in.

Laura Pauling said...

Three weeks is such a long time to not see your kids - but imperative if trying to unpack and get settled! Glad you're settled in!

Miranda Hardy said...

Congrats on the new house! My summer has been busy, and productive. I plan on taking a week off writing in August to vacation with the kids. Should be a blast full of good memories.

Drexel Gilbert said...

Gave me goosebumps! I know it's great to have the family all under one roof again!

Old Kitty said...

Yay you are all together again!! How lovely!! Enjoy this wonderful summer of being a whole family again!!! Take care
x

Anita Grace Howard said...

You're such a wonderful and loving mommy! My fave sentence in this? When you described the elation of seeing each other again after three weeks separation. That's a LONG time from your kiddos! Bless your heart. I'm so glad you got everything ready for them so they could feel welcome in their new home. And lol on the Captain Kangaroo ref. I remember those sketches! Hee. Congrats on finally being HOME. :)

Stina said...

Wow, how did you manage to survive three weeks without seeing your kids? That must have killed you (I done it before for work, and I know it's not easy). But what a great way to get the unpacking done. While you throw yourself into that, it makes the distance less painful (because you're too tired to think).

Unknown said...

Yay!!!! I'm so glad everything worked out! I can't imagine such a long seperation from my kiddos. I'm sure I'd be crying in anticipation.

Now I can't wait to see the place in person. ;)

Hart Johnson said...

Awww---I love that they were so thrilled. And yes, those real emotions are important to keep tapped into. My kids have had a few stretches with my parents and when my daughter was 2, I was doing my master's thesis and just needed the leeway to power through... she came home and wouldn't look at me. Wouldn't let me hold her... she was so angry I'd sent her away... It was totally heartbreaking. Now they both love it, but man, there's an age...

Ru said...

Your new house looks beautiful! Good job on getting all unpacked, I just moved into a new place as well and there's no way I got anything fixed up in one day, much less multiple room. Props, ma'am!

erica and christy said...

3 weeks?? Wow - so glad you are together again and congrats on getting the house together!
erica

Summer Ross said...

I couldn't imagine spending three entire weeks without my girls. I'm glad things are going well for you!

M Pax said...

Yay that you're all back together. Sounds like such a joyful day.

Carolyn Abiad said...

So glad the kiddies love the new house too. How could they not?

Kelly Polark said...

How exciting for the children (and you!). I bet you are exhausted though! We are supposed to move at some point (though the market is terrible, we can't sell our house!). I hope to be full of boxes sooner than later.
Enjoy your new home!

Anonymous said...

Awww, glad you're together again!

LTM said...

@Ru--Thanks, girl. I swear, it's been so tough, and now I feel like I've been run over by a tank! :D I'm too old to push so hard~ xoxo

@Summer--it's been one of the hardest parts fo this whole thing. I'm SO glad we're all back together now. I just can't even tell you how much. <3

@LBD--Thanks. It's really great. I'm feeling much calmer now~ :o) <3

LTM said...

@Laura--you're right, it was WAY too long. Those last few days w/o my babies were the worst. But it's getting better now~ :o) <3

@Anita--Hey, thanks. It really was like that. The girls and I were all suffering, and when we all saw each other, we literally screamed. Captain Kangaroo... LOL! :D <3

Matthew MacNish said...

I've got to try to remember your crazy blogging schedule, because you always have the best posts.

Carrie, huh? Interesting.

Sophia said...

I had a moment today where I was thinking as I experienced something that it would come in handy for writing; I had to mentally tell myself that hello, I am in the experience right now, I should just let it be. Appreciate the intense emotions, I say. The writing will still be there afterwards.

Creepy Query Girl said...

what a great feeling! So glad the girls liked their new house and so glad to see you back here!

Anonymous said...

What a great reunion. Hope you get to enjoy part of your summer, minus the unpacking of boxes.

Janet Johnson said...

Sounds like a great reunion! I love it. :D

Enjoy your new home and being reunited. Nothing better!