Okay, so if you hadn’t figured it out yet, we’ve moved to Mexico City. It’s been a move we’ve been talking about for nearly a year, and I was so glad to have finally seen the moving container pull up to our house. There is nothing like living in limbo…Are we moving or not? Your heart is in one place, but your head is in another. It’s a shitty situation. I’m sure my husband was ready to kill me every time I asked if there was any intel to divulge. But, I guess he’s learned never to say anything unless it’s actually going to happen.
It’s not to say that I left Belgium kicking and screaming. The weather over the past year had totally taken all fun out of most things for me…I mean; it rained, and rained, and rained. It was cold and cloudy and gray. It was miserable. Spring didn’t show up until the very end of May, and summer only lasted 2 days. It was depressing…there has got to be a HUGE market for anti-depressants in that country. I vowed that I was going to burn my UGG boots and winter coat on moving day. Then I remembered that I would be returning to the northern US for holidays. Dammit, I was really looking forward to a bonfire.
The one thing I did leave kicking and screaming was my friends. My friends in Brussels were one of a kind. The people I met in Brussels were incredible. They were from all over the world, spoke many languages, and had hearts of gold. I never had to worry about being late to pick the kids up from school, or being stranded with a broken down car, or being taken to the emergency room. I had constant laughter, endless smiles, and memories made that will last me a lifetime. My kids had so many faces they knew they could trust. It was amazing. The goodbyes were tearful and the hugs lingered. I’m so glad for things like Facebook, Skype, Facetime, and WhatsApp. It’s keeping me connected to them even though I’m not there. But, it’s also making me a bit sad too…because I’m not there. I’m not at the lunches, play dates, or BBQ’s. I’m not going to be at the first day of school. I’m just not there.
Where am I? I’m typically sitting in traffic at any time of the day. I’m struggling with butchering the Spanish language. I’m roaming around Wal-Mart (which is pretty cool). I’m coming to grips with having a driver. (I know this sounds great, but it’s weird to have your independence to drive taken out from underneath you.) I’m refereeing my kids in a house that echoes like a gymnasium because we don’t have any of our stuff. I’m trying to construct a new life.
It’s not easy to be the new kid on the block. So, if you meet someone that says they are new, whether it’s at work, school, or the gym…give them a smile, and ask them how they are doing. Your kind words just might be what they need. You never know, they just might be constructing a new life too.
I love that you've had so much opportunity to travel and meet new people. I remember visiting you in Geneva, just after you had moved in! Time flies! Enjoy this new adventure and you never know, I might just look you up someday in sunny Mexico city~love -Susan Siemionko
Oh Claire! I do miss you too! We all know you will get through this and feel better in a year because we have all been where you are now. BUT, the getting there is so hard. Tears are rolling down my cheeks now….
Much love!!
Shirley
I can't imagine Geneva to Belgium to Mexico City!! I was happy to return to the USA after Geneva. Good luck to you in MX and I'll follow your posts! And I promise to be nice to the next person that says they are 'new.' I totally get that from my GVA experience!! 🙂