I’m blogging from our new place in Arlington, MA. We’re just outside Boston — specifically, we are 3 houses down from the bus that brings you to the terminus of the red line of Boston’s subway, which brings you anywhere IN Boston. It’s quite a change from the sleepy suburb of McLeansville, NC, where a 10-minute drive at 50+ MPH through rural backroads brought me to the nearest grocery store, and going out to dinner meant a 15-to-30 minute drive one way.
So… changes. Lots of ‘em. I have to get used to the sound of sirens going by outside our house, the traffic noises, as we live on a fairly busy street, the proximity of PEOPLE. They are everywhere! People walk on the sidewalk outside our house, fly by on bikes and skates and on foot on the Minuteman Trail out in back of our house. People live above us, in the second-floor apartment. It’s a return to living among people, multiplied by 100. I haven’t lived this close to others since college. I’m both frightened and excited about this dramatic change to the way I live my life.
In the end, it’s just another house. That’s what my 6 year old said to me last night at bedtime. She was letting me know that she is OK with this move. “Mommy, wherever we live, it doesn’t matter, cuz it’s the same.” And it is. I forget sometimes that big changes such as this aren’t as big if you’re little. Saying goodbye to schools, friends, neighbors was not heart-breaking for my kids. Their worlds are still small. Allen and I are the sun around which their lives revolve, and as long as that stays intact, it doesn’t really matter too much. Sure, they will miss their friends, their lives in NC, even the house we left behind. But mostly, they are fine. Eager, in fact, to experience new things in their new home and town. Life is small. I envy that a little. I’m learning from them, though. It doesn’t have to be so hard.
One thing we did have to let go of is our dog. But she is in good hands. My friend sent me this picture of Tommy yesterday. 
She is fine, looks a little slimmer, and appears to be resting on a leather couch. We look forward to visiting her.
Kids and dog have survived this big change. Allen loves living in a city, and is enjoying his new job. I am totally ecstatic to be living near friends and family. It’s good. Change. I’m tired, but that good tired, that muscle-sore, backaching tired that means I’m doing things that matter.
My friendships in NC will survive. Distance is not an obstacle in true friendships. And now I will get down to the business of living in a new city. After the obligatory two cups of coffee, of course.
Hello, Bostonians!
Her first tooth came out on January 21, right before her day camp at the stables to ride ponies all day. The second tooth came out the evening of January 22, while she was in the bathtub.
This is Laurel, in a nutshell. She asks for what she wants. She doesn’t want to be told what to do, but if it is reasonable, she will consider it. Her first response to any question is “No,” but she has the ability to re-think her answer and respond more positively. She is able to negotiate situations with some grace, including sharing, if others are playing fairly with her. She gives great thought to all the components of play, asks appropriate and provocative questions, enjoys arguing her case, but will see reason, too.
I can’t wait to do this again. It’s a whole different experience parenting Laurel, one I am truly enjoying! I especially love it that she gets it wholeheartedly — the details, the appreciation of my help, the importance of being good to friends. I feel honored that I’m helping to grow a completely amazing person, one who is hell-bent on doing it her way, but able to bend my way a little when she needs me.