When you look back, do you look back with regrets? Do you think of “what might have been”? If you do, you have to let that go. You can’t live in the present if you’re still holding onto what might have happened if some little thing had changed in the past. Even if that little thing were different in the future, time has passed, you’re different now than you were then, the path is altered and it can’t be undone.
New Orleans was at the top of my “where to move” list right up until August 29th, 2005 when Katrina blew in for a visit. Then, when I finally had the chance to leave California in 2008 it was the concern about moving to an area still in financial recovery that forced me to look at other options, and thank goodness I did.
I chose Richmond, Virginia because it had more pros than cons compared to the other cities on my list (which also included Las Vegas and Brooklyn). The recession in 2009 proved that I had made a good choice when Richmond had one of the lowest rates of unemployment in the country; I’ve had some great jobs here, and I live in a large 3 bedroom townhouse with rent only moderately higher than the 2 bedroom I was renting in California in 2001. My daughter has lived 1/3 of her life here in Richmond, and I’ve had opportunities to learn and grow in ways I could never have dreamed of when I packed my bags and left California. What would have been if I’d stayed in California? What would have been had I moved to Louisiana? Who would I be?
And, who will I be in a year, or two, or eight? My family has grown by one short adorable girl, who loves my son with all her heart, and who I love as much – that for sure wouldn’t have happened had we not moved to Richmond. She’s already settling into our future home state – Texas. How will Texas treat us? How will it change me? What opportunities will I find there? Who are the people who’ll be my new friends? And, who will become part of my family?
I still have this huge “crush” on Nawlins, but I’m glad it wasn’t meant to be my home.