City Girl/Country World

Several years ago, Ben and I were home for Christmas and breakfasted with our good, old friend, Elyce. Amidst the pancakes, we poured our hearts out about being homesick for Indiana and about wanting to move back. This talk came just after Ben had entered seminary, I had decided to change my profession, and we had moved two or three times (between different apartments) in the course of a year. Elyce, in her great wisdom, told us — very gently — that we were CRAZY. All that life change in one year? We were bound to burn out. She said, and I’ll never forget this, “I want you two to have a year of nothing. A year of good mental health.”

At the time, we laughed this off. Sure, good mental health. We were fine! But a year or so later, when we up and moved to Oregon, leaving a great community behind, we found out the hard way what she meant by “burn out.” And thus began a year-and-a-half of very bad mental health.

One year ago yesterday we moved into our home in St. Paul — which truly began a year of healing. A year of Ben and I both having good, stable, full-time jobs. A year getting to know once again a wonderful church community who welcomed us back with open arms. A year of exploring our new neighborhood, joining a local co-op, and getting to know neighbors. We had hiccups, for sure. A few minor freak-out-what-the-heck-are-we-doing-with-our-lives moments, but we’ve settled down again nicely. We’ve settled into a new life that feels good. And I finally understand the “good mental health” that Elyce wished upon us.

While we’ve been in our house a year, we’re still trying to put things on the walls (paint is next). It’s a process with me, though, I want my wall hangings to mean something — at least to Ben and I if no one else. I came across three posters today that I’m going to order, and that truly sum up where I am right now:

To me, this means community. I need it — I’m nothing without it.

To me, this means emerging myself into wherever I am in life. And always returning “home.”

To me, this means take a deep breath. Don’t make any rash decisions but continue forging ahead.

(BTW, these posters are all available via ReformSchoolRules)

So…here’s to another good year!