Today I Moved

Today I moved. 

Matt and I moved to Charlotte, North Carolina. 

While I don’t love the “unload the truck” part of moving, I quite enjoy the packing and unpacking. I don’t think I’m alone in the experience that seeing everything I own, all at once, makes me sentimental and reflective.

Like opening the box of knick-knacks we’ve collected in the nearly 10 years of marriage. A textile Matt brought home for me from Zambia. A wood block with the nautical symbol for F on it for “Fry” that we picked up at a marina campground somewhere in Missouri. Two pieces of pottery we got last summer in Fishtown, Michigan. Even the “Marry the one who gives you the same feeling you get when you see food coming at a restaurant” framed art piece. 

Lots of adventures represented in those knick-knacks. 

But not just these souvenirs tell the stories of our life. Unpacking my clothes also unpacked some memories. 

Like my favorite sweater-shirt from Old Navy that finally began to unravel and I had no choice but to throw it out. It was a hand-me-down from my sister–a shirt she wore in high school! (For reference, she graduated in 2008, so this particular top was well worn.) Or my hunter green paper-bag pants that I lovingly call my “missionary pants” because they wear well in every culture. Memories of trips pop into my mind, and also the memory of Matt calling them “lunch-box pants.” And the iconic “Por favor, manténgase alejado de las puertas” shirt from DisneyWorld. If you know, you know. 

These things and more–books, pots and pans, even furniture–remind me of the beautiful life I have. 

Not always easy, but beautiful. I’m always learning, which is honestly my favorite hobby! I’m often trying new things, going to new places and returning to old ones. I make positive contributions to the world on a regular basis (at least I hope so). I have a husband who seeks to understand me, and consistently sees the best in people. There is always much to be grateful for; a truth I shared in my book The Way of Gratitude two years ago, and one that I still choose to believe today. 

As we continue unpacking I wonder what other memories will come up? Not all memories are fun to relive. There are some things I’d like to forget; others I’d like to remember without pain. A simple prayer, “God, redeem my memories” helps. Or a longer one, a Suscipe prayer from Saint Ignatius of Loyola, is a great prayer for memories, for moving, for perspective. 

Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will, all I have and call my own. You have given all to me. To you, Lord, I return it. Everything is yours; do with it what you will. Give me only your love and your grace, that is enough for me.

Today I moved. A new adventure, with new memories to be made.