Monday, February 22, 2010

Distance makes the heart grow fonder....

Within this past week, I've been forced to reflect a little bit on my life and where it's headed from here on out. I went all the way back to the day that I decided to start doing traveling occupational therapy. I remember it being one of the hardest decisions to leave a wonderful job at MGH in Boston and leave all my amazing friends and family. I was determined to leave my comfort zone, to explore exciting places, meet new people, be challenged again both in my job and within myself, and of course make a little bit more money (the traveling agency pays for your rent). I remember a friend asking me if I really thought I could do it and of course, I stubbornly stated, "Yea, of course I can, why wouldn't I?" Seven months later, I would love for someone to ask me that same question again, because I am not so confident in my initial answer anymore. I say this for several reasons...one being that I miss my precious godson more than anything right now! He is at such a fun age and I do not want to have a relationship with him via telephone. Two, I miss my family more than I could have ever imagined...I wish I could see their faces when I am talking to them and have their hugs when I need one. Three, I miss the 4 seasons and the beautiful ocean view and salty smell. Four, I never expected to fall madly in love with a Texan and now that I have, I struggle with him being 7 hours away from me. And lastly, I miss my friends. No one can ever replace my Maine and Boston friends. I wonder why I am suddenly having such a hard time, but what I do know is that I am do not enjoy being so far away from the people I love the most in my life.


So...after talking with my amazing and very supportive boyfriend, whom always manages to create that light at the end of the tunnel for me, he encouraged me to look at past photos. So I did, and I wanted to share with you all just some of my favorites:

*I love this first picture of my parents and I because we look so happy and it's probably one of the few pictures we have of just us, especially recently! I am so blessed to have such loving and supportive parents! The second picture is of Cole and I this past summer. I was so happy to have the opportunity to take a month off in between jobs. It allowed me to spend a lot of time with Cole and learn about him all over again. This was our first swimming date. The third photo is of my grandparents first meeting Cole. I love this photo the most b/c of my Papa's big smile! That is one thing I miss most and love about him to this day! The fourth picture is one of me and some of my closest girlfriends from college...Liz, Courtney, Lisa, and Megan. I have been so blessed to have found such amazing girlfriends who have been nothing but amazing to me over the last 9 to 10 years of knowing each other! This, is unfortunately one of the last photos I have of all of us together. We went skiing in NH for a weekend for my friend Courtney and Megan's bday. The fifth picture is of my boyfriend, Michael and I. I had never traveled to Texas for my first travel assignment, I would have never met him. He has allowed me to trust and love again. Because of him, I am smiling more... Lastly, this picture reminds me of why I am doing this traveling therapy. There are endless opportunities and beautiful places to see and one will never be able to experience them until you move outside of your bubble...











3 comments:

  1. So much to say...the speech therapist will try to keep it brief :)

    First, you had to go as you know. It made you appreciate more what is right here at "home" AND you met Michael.

    Second, if you want to continue to travel at free will you need to do it now. All those who love you will support this decision. Things change when you marry and have kids and settle into a more permanent job and you cant just up and go.

    Third, if you find what you feel is true love you need to do all you can on your end to make it work. You should never have to sacrifice for love but you do need to compromise. Long distance relationships are hard. You can't truly know someone until you have lived with them and seen all their quirks so you know if you can love this person despite them.

    Fourth, as I am sure you have, you need to talk to Michael. Think long term...is he willing to move closer to Maine? Are you willing to stay in TX because you still will only have over the phone talks most of the time with us? All of this needs to be considered because if you can't get on the same page about this now, it will just end up being an issue later. These answers may guide you to your decision now, however hard it may be.

    Finally, yes, you are far away from us but you know we love you no matter what and visits can happen...you're making one in April :) There is good and bad with everything and you just have to weigh what brings the most good.

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  2. First off Jenn, thanks so much for taking the time to read my blog and write such a wonderful response! It meant a lot! I couldn't agree more with what you have said...Fortunately, I have found a man that is just as affectionate, loving, open-minded, supportive, and compromising as I am. There is no 80/20...its completely 50/50...for once! He's the one and I know it!

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  3. Home is where the heart is Kristi....Your a "Mainer" no matter how hard you may think you can do with out it....BUT do what you need to do now, and home will always be here!
    Love only comes around once and you have found it and don't let it go! I found my "love" and he is such a good man, and is having a hard time right now, which I need to support him in every way, even if it means doing with less....I refuse to retrain! Ha! As Jenn said we are always here, and in tough times it's harder to be away from home, but the tough times are here even when you are here! Make sense? I tell Cole everyday that it's "Kristi" in the photo and he will know you...Trent is just taking your place for now and is doing a good job, it's showing him he can take care of kids!
    Trips home will mean more to you and maybe not as much as you want but there available...
    Follow your heart, it does not lie to you....
    We're proud of you, and love you....
    Love
    Mom

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