Guess what? Moving Sucks.

There is nothing else to say. I am drowning in boxes, I have moving acne, and my anxiety is off the charts. Snoooore. It also happens to be the most beautiful springtime in Brooklyn history which is making me die of heartbreak. Everyone has been saying that it's such a nice time of the year to move because things will be springing up in our new yard and it's a perfect time for a new start, etc, etc. And this is true. Our new yard is filled with surprises (including a lilac bush, a nascent herb garden, and a gigantic groundhog) and it is so incredibly wonderful to finally have our own outdoor space. But it also happens to be one of the hardest times of year to leave this corner of our precious borough. I love springtime in the city when everyone reconnects with the outside world after the cold and dirty urban winter. The park and the garden are so beautiful this time of year, and they are teeming with life, both plant and human.  It's been nice running into all the kids Lowell's age we haven't seen in awhile and see how they've grown and changed. I am also feeling very grumpy these days about leaving friends behind. Even though we aren't going that far away it's just far enough away. Especially for New Yorkers where if you leave the borders of Gotham it's like you've fallen off the edge of the earth. God, it was bad enough when we left Manhattan. I am feeling pretty sad that I won't be able to see my friends as much and I know that inevitably some of the friendships won't weather the separation. I have been around this particular block enough to know that this is just part of life but knowing that doesn't make it feel any better. I am trying to keep focused on the bigger picture, on why we are making this change and why it is going to be a good thing. Some days are better than others in this process. Today is kind of crummy.

In Lowell news, he is trying like heck to figure out how to run. He can't get the mechanics quite right so he ends up looking like a miniature John Cleese. Everytime I try to get him to do it for the camera though, he stops moving altogether. He's on to me. I will keep trying so that you might be able to see him in action. God, it's hilarious. He is also enjoying soap bubbles, a new concept. His favorite toy right now is the lid to his giant tupperware toychest. He gets hours of fun from pushing it or dragging it around the apartment. He is doing his part for the move by taking consistant 3-hour naps. This is an unexpected and cherished blessing but it's making my procrastination a lot harder. I usually get packing done during naptime in spite of myself. Lowell seems to be aware that something is going on. The boxes, the "loud talking" that mama and dada are doing a lot, the many trips in the car - they all seem to be registering but it's hard to know what impact they're making on that tiny psyche.  I am sometimes thankful that he doesn't really understand what's going on (we'd probably both be going through a LOT of cookies and I am consuming plenty of calories as it is, mainly in the form of beer. Ah, sweet beer).  But I am sad that he won't remember this place, his first home.

Comments

[Mignon]

Oh, LB, I totally understand your melancholy. We moved from our beautiful home in bustling Portland right after Madeleine turned 2, and she doesn't remember it. It breaks my heart, because it was nearly perfect there.

I won't try to talk you out of your malaise - enjoy your last days there! I'm actually glad it's nice for you. Moving in the rain is the worst kind of hell.

[wordgirl]

Video, video, video! Every nook and cranny of your present home. Inside and outside. Provide commentary on all the places Lowell enjoyed playing or sleeping in your home. One day, when he's old enough, he'll appreciate it. Some dim memory of New York will lie asleep in his brain and these visual reminders might just help it to awaken. You never know. Our oldest two do remember our old house, but the youngest was only 8 months old when we moved to this house. However, the plethora of old tapes never cease to amaze him and because he lived there and started trying to walk there, he lays claim to that house in the same way his brothers do. We drive by it so the external parts are familiar and the tapes provide a memory of the way it was inside.

I remember when Miranda on "Sex & the City" left Manhattan for Brooklyn. It was as though she was leaving for the jungles of Borneo. If I lived there, I'd think that way, too.

[LetterB]

Thanks for the sympathy guys. And wordgirl - i will be making a tape, that's a great idea. While there is plenty of footage of our apartment (it's pretty small so every nook has already been recorded for posterity) I really want to do the neighborhood, especially the park.

[lea]

I hate moving. I've done it so many times in my life it should be second nature, but I just can't stand it. I'm happy when I get where I'm going, but the whole process just stresses me out. I feel for you!! I know you have so many great memories where you are, but just think of all the great memories you'll be able to make in Beacon.

[kara]

c'mon you guys! moving is awesome! all that cleaning and purging! it's refreshing! a new start! a new era! a new chapter in your lives! and when you get to your new house it's like christmas opening up all of those boxes (especially if your movers hold your stuff hostage for 2 months)!! seriously, it makes me want to move just thinking about it.

sparks!

[alice]

I'm on the other side, and if I got through it, so will you, my dear. But the acne, I am afraid it isn't going away. What is it with us and the skin? Sweet fancy Moses.