Moving Day, Part 2 or Family Fun Time

One of the great blessings I saw in choosing to leave my job and hit the road when I did was that I would be up visiting my family in northern California just in time to help one aunt and uncle with their impending move.  I had to laugh that, after spending two and half weeks packing up my own apartment, I got to come up here and do it all over again!  Joking aside, I was very gratified that the timing worked out so that I could be here to help them.  And, no, I’m not just saying that because I know they’re reading this blog.

It’s quite the circus over here.  For logistical reasons, my “southern” NorCal aunt and uncle and I are staying here at the “northern” NorCal aunt and uncle’s house while we help them pack up in prep for the move (which will be later this week).  Five adults sharing one house in the midst of a move makes for some interesting times.  Tensions run high as everyone has their own ideas on what needs to be done when, and how.  Everyone’s had to loosen up their boundaries and/or stretch themselves a bit, whether that’s adhering to the way things are done in someone else’s home, or accommodating “guests” who do things differently than one would like or expect in one’s own home – all while trying to pack up and move a household!  And then there’s the matter of space and privacy – the luxuries of being alone and not being disturbed don’t really exist here right now.  As someone who’s lived alone for the last nearly 7 years and had all the undisturbed alone time they could possibly want, not having that at all has probably been the hardest part for me to deal with.  I think it’s a real exercise in patience and acceptance for all of us.  And humility.  And gratitude.

It’s also REALLY hot here.  It’s been in the 90’s each day.  The AC broke yesterday, which of course made us all much happier and friendlier toward each other.  We did get a bit of a respite today with some clouds and wind, which was very welcome.

Today’s our last day here.  We’re heading back in the morning.  I keep looking around at all the things that should be in boxes but aren’t and wish we’d been able to get more done.  It is what it is, I suppose.  This move has been added stress upon plenty of existing stress for everyone involved, so any progress is laudable, really.

All that said, there’s something pretty awesome about sharing one home as a family.  Despite the challenges inherent in this temporary pseudo-merging of households, it’s nice to have so many loved ones so near at hand.  Preparing meals together, eating together, shopping together, and working together – even just sitting together – are all pretty rare occurrences for us these days, and they are moments to be enjoyed.

TL;DR:  Communal living provides cherished family time, offers advanced lessons in patience, flexibility.