Moving goodbyes

Today we helped my cousin Gopal move into his new apartment. He graduated from Virginia Tech this May and is now entering the workforce. It all seems so familiar because Kavi, Arti, and I have gone through it as well. Imagine how many moves per person that is counting college and for our jobs (our poor parents!) Moving in and out is something we have gotten quite used to - college dorms, apartments, even homes. Up next, this fall, we have Kishan, destination away.

There is a difference though, in moving from home to home than moving in and out of college dorms and work apartments. I remember our first big move from Tennessee to Virginia. After thirteen years in one place we were moving, not just houses but states! I felt like we were leaving our childhood behind, our memories, our home.

In retrospect, it was the best move we ever made. Every place you live adds to a lot of who you are... I soon realized that in Tennessee we had the perfect childhood full of laughter. But, we grew up in Virginia. You see, Tennessee gave me the feeling of "forever childhood" - innocence, wander, play, freedom. All the same, Virginia ignited passion - an insatiable desire for all things, beauty, love, curiosity, happiness, hope, and much, much more.

We moved several times in Virginia and after that one big move, all the others became easier. Did we just get used to it? Or was it something else? I think it was the realization that wherever my parents are is home. Wherever our family is. That is where our memories lie, within us. I also know that every step forward is full of possibilities and opportunities (but never forget the past).

We have all dealt with some type of moving. Whether it's moving on from relationships, homes, careers... And some moves are harder than others. Some moves stay with us forever. At the same time, who knows what wonderful things are ahead. Because, the beauty in all of this is that moving away just means that you're moving closer to something else. After every goodbye is a hello waiting just around the corner...