When I was young, my family moved around a lot. By the time I turned 16, I had been through eight moves through five states. I learned not to get too attached because we'd soon be moving on. I had to learn to let go because I could only bring my own stuff with me. My friends had to stay. The house that I thought was my home had to stay. What I could box up was all that was coming with me. And with each move, each new house and another lost home, I threw a few more things away.
My father was climbing the corporate ladder, which I can understand now. But at twelve years old, I didn't understand why I had to keep changing schools and making new friends. Everyone else got to stay. Why couldn't we? Why couldn't he just get a new job nearby like everyone else's dad? I didn't want to move across the country, to California. That's where all the crazy people lived.
But we ended up in California, nonetheless. And two years came a went. It was time to move again, but we weren't moving. I felt the urge to keep my distance and not get too attached, in order to make it easier when the news would inevitably come. But it didn't this time. We stayed, and as I grew older and moved out, I stayed. Now I've been in southern California for nearly twenty years, started a family, and can finally say that I am home.
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Kyra Lennon's novella, If I Let You Go, is currently available on Amazon. And as a special promotion, it is free to download today!
Goodreads blurb of If I Let You Go:
Madison Connor is about to lose it. Her job, that is. For three years, she’s taken care of Dominic Hartley’s five year old daughter, Tilly, but her world is flipped on its head when Dominic tells her his latest promotion is taking him to New York. With Tilly having a meltdown over the move, Madison and Dominic get into a fight that changes the entire nature of their relationship, causing Madison to ask herself a big question. Can she let him go?
Add to you TBR list.
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Thank you, Krya, for organizing this bloghop!
I can relate - as a military brat, we moved around all the time. I was always letting go of friends.
ReplyDeleteIt must have been hard to live that way, never getting too attached because you knew you'd have to move on. :(
ReplyDeleteThanks for being a part of the bloghop!
I've never had to experience moving around like that but I am glad that you have now been able to put down roots and settle down.
ReplyDeleteIt's great to get to know you a little better, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteIn my case, ever since we moved to the US, when my first born was just 11 months old, we kinda liked the gypsy-style of living and have moved a couple more times, first to Montreal and now back to the US. I'm always worried that my kids will feel that sense of loss or not belonging anywhere. It seems, though, like they've adjusted very well and have gained quite a lot from such lifestyle. Still, I think we're here to stay. We want to keep living in different countries but just in small periods of time and always knowing we'll come back to this house, our new house, and back to old friends and routines. I truly hope I'm not messing my kids up bad... ;)
I've never had to move, so I can't relate to this, but I can see why it would be tough! I would've hated it. Glad you have a place to call home now!
ReplyDeleteAllison (Geek Banter)
Count yourself lucky that you live in California. Sure there are the downsides with traffic and crime, but that's because you have lots of people around you. Let me tell you the benefits of California from someone that lives nowhere near Cali:
ReplyDelete1) You have a state that has a climate able to grow anything on the planet.
2) You can do anything in California. If you want to make a movie, you can do it. If you want to ski, you can do it. If you want to surf, you can do it. If you want to go to outer space, you can do it there.
3) You have diversity. That means people that are non-white. I live in Utah. There are only pale-skinned republicans with blue eyes and blond children here wondering why the hell some half Japanese guy lives amongst them and is not Mormon.
4) You are surrounded by the finest universities in the land. Sure they cost a fortune to attend. However, the think tanks spew forth an educated populace that visits coffee shops and book stores, etc. This allows you and your children to be surrounded by intelligent conversation all day long depending on where you are standing. Where I'm at, people get in line at Chick-Fil-A to support traditional marriage, not realizing they are on the wrong side of history.
I think it would be INCREDIBLY difficult to move around a lot as a child... having a foundation is so important. I'm so glad that you feel home now...
ReplyDeleteAnd awesome for you to promote Kyra. So proud of her! :)
I can really relate to how you felt. I moved around a lot too, when I was a kid. From NJ to Cali (four times in California) and then back to NJ again. It was painful and at times embarrassing to be the new kid in the middle of a school year. It impacted who I am today so much, I even wrote a MG book about it.
ReplyDeleteGlad you found your home in CA!!
I've lived in California my entire life. It's a good place to call home.
ReplyDeleteYikes to moving around a lot when you were younger! My parents moved a few times when I was under the age of two, so I don't remember it, but if it had happened as a teen, that would've been rough!
ReplyDeleteThat would have been hard as a kid to keep moving all of the time. I moved more as a young adult. Roots are nice when you find the right place, tho. I'm finally home, too.
ReplyDeleteI moved around everywhere as an adult and loved it. It was like traveling and getting to stay a while. I'm sure it would have been different as a kid or teen.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you have a place that feels like home now, though I can only imagine how incredibly hard it was to always move and never want to get attached because you'd have to move again. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteCongrats, Krya, on your book. Glad you found 'home' Michael. As a teacher, I know it's rough on kids to move a lot. They either become strong and independent or they get lost.
ReplyDeleteSaying hello from the blog hop...glad you found a place you can confidently call home. Having been born and raised in California, I had to chuckle when I read that part about our state being where the crazy people live.
ReplyDeleteMy 14 year old would be able to relate to this. He was in about 8 schools from Kindegarten thru 2nd grade. It took him a long time to be social. This is our 5th house in this town in 6 years; luckily there is only one school district and no matter what the address, he has been able to keep the same friends and teachers. That has been very important to him. Now we've been at the same house for two years, and he finally has his own bedroom, and he has bloomed into a wonderful teenager.
ReplyDeleteMoving can be devastating to a kid; but sometimes, what's a parent to do when they're working so hard at that job security. I am glad it all worked out for you Michael; and I hope for the same type success story for my own son.
........dhole
As a youngster, it must have been difficult to move around like that. At least you've finally settled.
ReplyDeleteI'm checking in from the blog hop.
wow, almost sounds like a military brat's life! glad you finally found a "home". blog hopping and following!!
ReplyDeleteMichael, that would have been a difficult childhood! As a child I lived in the same house for eighteen years. I find it hard to understand the concept of moving so much.
ReplyDeleteThat's quite the childhood tale. Glad you've settled down in a place you love!
ReplyDeleteLovely entry. Home is definitely where you decide it is, not so much the location you reside. Cheers to finding happiness in staying put!
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