Labor and Delivery

July 24, 2012

While standing in line to board our long international flight, I overheard Adam saying to another guy, "this move has gone really smoothly"and I couldn't help it. I groaned, rolled my eyes, and wondered what planet he was dwelling on because I would not have used those words to describe our international move.

In the week leading up to our departure, our credit card number was stolen and our account was frozen until our return to the States. Not great timing for something like that to happen. The car we were borrowing had some issues which meant multiple trips to the repair shop. I stupidly decided to mow the grass in the near dark and hit a rock. Three weeks later and I am still healing from that injury. The night before we were scheduled to have our final housing inspection, water started pouring down from the second floor into the entry way. Just days before leaving Sicily, we discovered that the reason the moving company which had all of our storage items wasn't returning our phone calls, was because they had changed hands and were no longer in charge of our items. It took a lot of frustrating phone calls to sort that out. 


Those were just some of the things that happened in the weeks leading up to our actual departure. None of it was life threatening. None of it was earth shattering. But none of of it was fun or comfortable. It was around that point in the process of moving that I suddenly had a sharp pang of recognition. Moving is like childbirth. 


There is preparation, anticipation, excitement, research, fear, exhaustion, uncertainty, and joy. There are stages and labor pains. And there is amnesia. I somehow convince myself that moving every three years is a normal and tolerable thing to do until I am in the midst of it and I abruptly remember just how overwhelming and draining the whole darn process can be. 


We have been back in the States now for almost three weeks and we are past the stage of active labor. We have survived the jet lag, we have moved into a house, we have received most of our belongings, we have vehicles, and we have library cards. Similar to new parents we are now in that blurry, fumbling stage of learning our way around this new territory. Delighting in all of the diverse restaurant offerings, adjusting to the insane amount of air conditioning found in public spaces, and deliriously sick of unpacking boxes, we fall into bed each night thoroughly worn out. But the good news is that we are here and we are getting a bit more settled each day. 

A new stage, a new place, a new adventure.
The Jiu Jiu said...

Welcome back to life Stateside!

I remember international moves far better than I care to -- I know whereof you speak! Upon their last return to the States from Europe, my folks' car arrived with no windshield and assorted other damage... and by the time we FINALLY got the container with their household belongings, almost every wooden item had warped, split, or both from sitting on the dock so long in damp summer heat. I also know someone whose entire shipment of household belongings was in the hold of a ship that sank at the dock just before their stuff was unloaded... I'll leave the rest to your imagination.

Wishing you many magical boxes that unpack themselves and no more A/C than is comfortable during your reacclimation...! :-)

Corinne said...

WELCOME!!!! I am so glad you are here safe. Email me soon to tell me where you found a house so I can come by and visit whenever you are ready :)

joyce matula welch said...

Very well put. I like the comparisons and the reality of your words. I was in need of some perspective this morning after so many things went wrong yesterday. Thanks, I am feeling a bit more hopeful now that things will work out in time. Take care!

Jessica said...

Congrats on surviving the move!!

Martha said...

Congrats on not murdering the husband and getting there with almost everything at least a month before school satrts. We are moving in mid-September, 1 year earlier than expected. Oh well! It will be over this summer rather tha next. Que sera! Martha

likeschocolate said...

Glad you made it to the states! Sounds a little like the last couple of weeks for us, but on a much smaller scale. We too had our credit card number stolen, packed an apartment, survived the crazy driving in Sicily, somehow daughter was not listed in computer at airline and had to buy second ticket, they lost car seat, but we made it. Oan't wait to see where your DC adventure brings you.

jill kissinger-hawks said...

well it wouldn't be a Morgan-Saperstein move if there wasn't some "drama"...lol. I LOVE YOU all and am SO VERY happy you are here!!!!

Karla said...

Glad you all have gotten settled. We are "living the dream" right along with you. I like the words "not comfortable" that you used to describe this process. That's where I'm at now...uncomfortable with not being in a routine and un-creative right now. We have the car...but not the house yet. Thanks for your words to help me exhale and smile. :)

angi said...

Hooray for being in the same country. I painted our van with nail polish stars yesterday- owned for one week and already on the road to depreciation (hope Bill isn't reading this). I'm desperate to own something...anything, and make it my own. Almost jealous of your boxes...of your own THINGS. Almost.
Sending hugs!
-solleys

boatbaby said...

You're here!! Yay!! I hope we can meet up when things settle for you all. I will zap you my phone number...

Unknown said...

Sicily misses you! Glad your are settled and well!

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Francesca said...

Welcome home, Lucia, and happy new beginnings to you all!

meredith said...

Welcome back. The amnesia is important and in two months it will have you convinced that it wasn't that bad afterall. I love your analogy to labor. So true.

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