The Climb

I recently stumbled upon this quote on someone’s blog (can’t remember whose, so forgive me!) and it hit me like a ton of bricks. 

“The summit is such a small piece of the mountain. Most of the beauty and wonders are experienced during the climb.”

Last I wrote, I was working hard to acclimate to my new surroundings and my new job in NC.  I was excited about new adventures, new friends I would meet, and the new home I would eventually retire to.  Well, to make a long (or maybe three months) story short, it just didn’t fit.  We did have some fun adventures and we did meet some new friends, but something just wasn’t there for us.  Not sure I can or ever will be ever to fully articulate it, but honestly, I don’t need to.  It wasn’t a bad experience; it was just that – an experience.  I wouldn’t have changed a thing.  Because that move from North to South is what ultimately brought us back North to a place that feels like it was patiently waiting for us to arrive.

…and we have indeed arrived!

In late May, we packed our stuff once again and headed home.  We had some scary mechanical problems that could have been disastrous (lost brakes & steering!) had Scott not taken command of the truck when he did.  Phew!

Since our move back North, I have jumped into a new role at my new company, have found a running club (about to join!), have found some lovely running routes, have registered for a trail race and for Clarence Demar Marathon.  And as of last week, we closed on our new home! 

What’s so interesting to reflect on is how I didn’t feel like I had to work as hard this time (refer back to beginning of post “I was working hard to acclimate”).  The pieces have and continue to fall more naturally into place.  It hasn’t been all rainbows and unicorns (wink to Bonnie on this reference if you’re reading this!).  It’s uncomfortable starting a new job and meeting new colleagues and figuring out your dance with your new manager.  It’s hard to learn a new town again and have to use your navigator/phone to find your way home. 

What isn’t hard is letting yourself be in the moment and not having to try so hard and feeling like you belong to a community again.  What isn’t hard is being closer to our families and friends.  What isn’t hard is feeling relaxed enough to sit and write – for the first time in three months.  

So while there are many beautiful summits to reach, I’m truly embracing and enjoying the climb from my new perspective and from our new home.