I hate moving. I hate packing and seeing my life in bins. According to polls, moving is one of the top three most stressful things you can do. It is a change. For some, it’s a big change as they move to a new city, state, or even country. For others, it’s a smaller change as they move across town. But it’s still a change. We have put a lot of life and love into our home and it’s hard to walk away from that.
It is also exciting. A couple weeks ago I accepted a position with the Spooner Area School District as an Occupational Therapist. I have been a school-based Occupational Therapist since 2011 (minus a couple years off with babies). I began my career in Spooner before moving to Beaver Dam. So I will be moving home and back to something that is familiar.
But Beaver Dam is also my home now. It is the place where Ben grew up and where his parents live. It is where I brought my babies home and where I’ve walked them to sleep for the last 3 years. It’s where my son learned to walk and talk and where my daughter learned to crawl. We have spent countless hours in the parks and libray. We’ve celebrated birthdays and holidays. We’ve discovered new passions. And we’ve made friends.
So I am going home, which is exciting. But at the same time, I am moving away from home, which is sad.
I am excited for the opportunities my children will have growing up in the country, but I am sad that we will no longer be able to walk to Swan Park. We can finally have a large garden, but we will miss walking to Annabelle’s for ice cream. I am excited to invite friends and family to visit us in the Northwoods, but I am sad we won’t be so close. And, while I’m excited to become involved in my home community, I am sad to leave this wonderful community that I was just beginning to know.
So what does this mean for you, our friends, family, and neighbors who are reading this? Honestly, not much. Please still send me your stories, pictures, and events to share. I will do my best! And, if you ever visit the Northwoods or wonder what’s going on North of Highway 8, follow us on LocaLeben – North of 8!
~Molly Dittmann
