transition + details + cherishing

For over a year, we've known this move was coming. We've been making plans, looking at potential neighborhoods, and half of our belongings are already sitting in Seattle. This change has been in the works for so long that you'd think our thoughts are constantly on what's to come.

But the truth is, half of the time I forget that we'll be trading Montana snow for Seattle rain. Our days look exactly like they would if we weren't moving; Brian going to work, Nicholas and I finding some buddies to spend time with, and me chopping veggies for dinner. If you looked at our days, you might not know that we are preparing for a huge life change in less than two months. (Eep!)

We've known for so long that we were moving, but most of the practical details have had to wait.
And I think that has been a really good thing for a "planner" like me.
I haven't been able to busy myself with tasks to prepare; instead, I've just lived.

I've met with my friends, I've cuddled my son, I've shopped for groceries. I've kind of been forced to live life now, but with a more grateful perspective. Knowing that this winter was the last time I'd see snow on my beloved mountains made me cherish the long, cold days. Realizing that my friend's children, who seem so little now, will be big next time I see them, causes me to give extra squeezes and kisses. It's a bittersweet gratefulness.
As we now measure our time left in Montana in mere weeks, the preparation details are fully surfacing. The next few weeks will hold lots of cleaning, packing, and making of all sorts of arrangements.

But I pray that they also hold a lot of cherishing.
I hope that Brian and I can step away from the packing tape and boxes, and have coffee with friends.
I hope that I'll spend too many afternoons at the lake, with my friend's babies in my lap and my to-do list left at home. I hope that we would make cheerful memories, instead of running from event to event.

And I pray that we would leave well. That involves details, but I think it mostly involves people. Lord, keep me grateful and help me to cherish.