Three Weeks To Go

After today, I will have three weeks of work left here in California. This morning, I was looking out the office window at the beautiful mountains north of L.A. and realized how much I will miss that view. It's especially lovely today - no smog, snow on Mount Baldy, and a clear view of the Hollywood sign and downtown L.A. You may have heard me say that I can take or leave L.A., but I love California. I have really grown attached over the past seven plus years and I know I will miss it terribly. There are amazing places within a day's drive of here and I didn't get to visit as many as I would have liked.

For some reason, though, I don't feel as sad as I thought I would. Perhaps it's because it hasn't hit me yet, or, hopefully, it is because I am very comfortable with my decision to leave. In addition, I have recently realized how lucky I am. No, not because I had divorce thrown at me like a Randy Johnson fastball, but because I am more prepared for this than some people are. I'm not a woman who has been solely dependent on her husband. I have a college education, I have a great job, and I have a substantial support system of family and friends. Each of these things is coming with me. Some people lose a great deal more in divorces.

But I am making some trades. I am trading California for New Mexico. I am trading my 5th floor office with a view for another 5th floor office with a view. I am trading the Santa Monica and San Gabriel mountains for the Sandias and Manzanos. I am trading my house for rooming with Aunt Janet and Uncle Joe. And I am trading some very good friends for family. This is the toughest trade of all - the perfect definition of bittersweet.

Will it be tough to walk out of my office on December 17? Yes. Will it break my heart to walk out of my house on December 21? Yes. Will I cry saying goodbye to my friends? Absolutely. But it will feel so good to hit the road with Sidney and my parents and head East to my new home and a new life.