The time has come to bid Eau Claire, Wisconsin farewell. After 27 years, I am moving back to Utah. I am excited, sad and a little unsure about it all. Totally excited to FINALLY be going home. I have longed for, prayed for and petitioned for this day for many years. I never thought I'd be here this long. I expected 5 years maybe. I'm excited to be able to see nieces and nephews when they are newborns instead of preschoolers. I'm excited to climb the mountains. I am excited to see the temple daily. And I'm excited to get to know my siblings as adults.
I'm sad to leave beautiful Eau Claire; the green green grass that I don't have to water; the variety of trees that develop beautiful vibrant colors in the fall; and all the many friends I have made here over the years. I am mostly sad that I will leave one of my children here. He may be grown up and I may not see him more than 2 minutes a week from a distance, but at least I see him. This area of the country has become part of me. I have lived here longer than I have ever lived anywhere else. I raised my family here. When I speak of family I know I will envision my life back in Eau Claire. I won't miss the winters though!
Having been away from the close ties of family for so long, I am leery about the reunion. What will life be like after the honeymoon period is over? Every time I visit my family, I get to a point that I just want to go home, but I've never had a home in Utah to go to. I want to do my own thing, clean my own house, cook my own meals or go out. I get tired and frustrated. Every day seems like such a hassle and it takes FOREVER do anything. I try to be patient. I remind myself that they all have little ones to get ready and I don't, but it feels like things move at a very viscous pace.