• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • About
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • San Diego Momma
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
San Diego Momma

San Diego Momma

Sharing some humor, a bit of writing and way too much information

Home / Etcetera / The Gospel

The Gospel

Etcetera

“I’ve got a pit in my stomach.”

 

I nodded because I did too, but hadn’t said it aloud.

 

“It feels so isolated and quiet! Where is everybody?”

 

I didn’t answer. I’d been thinking the same things, but we made the move and now the best must be made of it.

 

We sat ensconced in beach chairs, right there in the middle of our driveway. The girls skittered about in the empty cul de sac.

 

“How was your trip back to the old place?” I asked casually, but my knotted brow betrayed me.

 

He sighed. An impressive sigh, for one not given to melodrama. “Lots of people out. Bars and restaurants packed.” He paused, then, “I didn’t know how much I fed off the energy of others.”

 

“Welcome to my world.”

 

Other peoples “auras” always impacted me. Energies, moods, all that. I absorbed them whole and reflected them back. Since we’d moved to the suburbs, the calmness of it all unnerved me. There wasn’t any energy to conduct. No one in the cul de sac we’d moved here for, no one in the driveways chatting it up, no hide and seekers, no bikes.

 

“We’re in the suburbs, dammit! This is why we’re here! It’s smelling like false advertising.” I looked across to the closed garages and perfect landscaping. “This sucks.”

 

Then a memory: Toots’s preschool teacher told me that when they’d moved to a new community, she and her husband promised each other they wouldn’t complain. Not a word. Nothing negative or assumptive would drip from their mouths. It’s contagious.

 

Another recall: All my moves, each and every one, started out with me unsure, secure in the knowledge that I wouldn’t fit into the new neighborhood. And each and every one turned out to be another step toward something. Something I needed to learn. In short, it all works out.

 

Just you wait. Just hold on.

 

It was always like that.

 

Each and every time.

 

So, when a blonde forty-something and her daughter walked purposefully toward us about a minute later, I knew this move was unfolding like all the others.

 

We chatted for about 20 minutes and she seemed maybe fun. Also possibly normal. Or not, which is even better. She knew who Jon Hamm was. I smiled at my Mom God up there in heaven.

 

She knows better than anyone about the moves, the sullen daughter, the quantum shift to “maybe this ain’t so bad after all.”

 

Still, I wavered. Then today, another quiet cul de sac. Tears from my oldest.

 

No friends, she says. No one to play with.

 

Her desperation hurts the sullen daughter inside.

 

Just you wait, I tell her. Just hold on.

 

I know, but she doesn’t.

 

Then: a girl her age three houses down smiles from outside the garage door.

 

And we’re off.

 

It’s always like that.

 

Each and every time.

 

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook

July 27, 2009 · 15 Comments

Sure I’d love to see you again

Previous Post: « PROMPTuesday #65: Come Here and You Will Know What to Do
Next Post: PROMPTuesday #66: Love, Me »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  1. Crystal says

    July 27, 2009 at 9:36 pm

    Awwww…I’m glad you are getting settled in and meeting some possibly normal neighbors and their maybe normal kids. ;) I’ve always been about the suburbs, I think living in the “city” city might freak me out a tad – maybe if I didn’t have kids I could do it. But I do like me some yards and cul-de-sacs. hehe I would trade it all if my backyard was the ocean though. Happy Monday SDM!

    Reply
  2. Shana says

    July 27, 2009 at 10:01 pm

    You are so right. Transitions are the worst, but sounds like it’s going to be worth it in the long run. But just trying convincing the kids, oy!

    Reply
  3. Cactus Petunia says

    July 27, 2009 at 10:06 pm

    Woo Hoo! Glad it’s working out…change is a bitch sometimes, isn’t it?

    Reply
  4. Barrie Summy says

    July 27, 2009 at 11:49 pm

    I think you’re right. It’s all for a good reason and will work out. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t difficult.

    Reply
  5. Kari C says

    July 28, 2009 at 12:00 am

    Hang in there, I sooo know how you feel. I move 1 1/2 hours away from all my friends to live with my husband in this smallish suburb town. I still hate it, but I’m here.

    I wish we had kids, at least that would force me to go out more, but I do have Bunco!!! Change can be good, but it is hard.

    I wish you all the best with your new home. I know you can do it!!

    Reply
  6. Da Goddess says

    July 28, 2009 at 12:53 am

    It is indeed the magic of youth and connection. Kids fear it as much as they create it.

    And this weekend? YOU! I’ve left the weekend open so that LD and I could welcome you properly if you’re ready. I can guarantee children do not stay hidden when LD is around. He’s a little pied piper-ish and kids just adore him. They seek him out.

    Anyhow, CALL ME.

    Reply
  7. stoneskin says

    July 28, 2009 at 3:34 am

    Fitting into a new neighbourhood is pretty daunting , we’ll be doing that in a few months time. Maybe I’ll have to make a vow of non-complaint.

    Reply
  8. she says

    July 28, 2009 at 3:44 am

    Transitions are hard and lonely, but familiarity does come and with it, comfort and solace. (Remember, it’s only a year, right? I think I read that you guys decided to give it a year? Hold on!)

    Big hug!

    Reply
  9. mary says

    July 28, 2009 at 4:13 am

    that’s exactly how our move to the suburbs started- at least in my mind. Within 24 hours, my youngest was down the block in a tree house and the other kids were riding bikes with the ‘white bread’ kids they had feared.
    Withing a month, we were cooking out and drinking beers with the neighbors and now it feels like home.
    Its not the same energy or vibe for sure, but it is what it is, and its usually good :)
    hang in there.

    Reply
  10. Theresa says

    July 28, 2009 at 4:52 am

    beautiful writing, Deb. Send that somewhere…

    Reply
  11. g says

    July 28, 2009 at 6:20 am

    My family moved a lot, and I remember those first days in a new neighborhood. It DOES work out, and pretty soon you’re completely at home. I know it will work out.

    Reply
  12. Steph says

    July 28, 2009 at 6:30 am

    You have no idea how much I needed to read this today. Srsly.

    Reply
  13. MissM says

    July 28, 2009 at 9:51 am

    I feel your pain! Every. Single. Day! I am here in the (extremely hot) burbs also, and it breaks my heart to hear my daughter complain of no one to play with too. It’s too hot to play outside, and too boring inside… Hang in there :)

    Reply
  14. blognut says

    July 28, 2009 at 11:15 am

    Sounds like it is all going to come together just fine!

    ;)

    Reply
  15. Mich says

    July 29, 2009 at 10:10 am

    Calm is a good energy to feed off of.

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

I love words. Every one, every time. (Except “moist.” That word can go.) …read more

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Sure. I’d love to see you again.

Categories

Archives

Blogroll

  • Blog This Mom
  • Da Goddess
  • Dirt and Noise
  • Discover San Diego
  • Foolery
  • Juggling Life
  • Mama Mary Show
  • Mel, A Dramatic Mommy
  • Mom Zombie
  • Mommy’s Martini
  • Motherhood is Not for Wimps
San Diego Momma

Footer

Archives

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Categories

Christmas carols for dad... Through the nursing ho Christmas carols for dad...
Through the nursing home window...
❤️
Mama’s mid-century vibes and dad’s suit swagge Mama’s mid-century vibes and dad’s suit swagger...
Walked a 5K for Wounded Warriors last night and de Walked a 5K for Wounded Warriors last night and despite my phone being stolen right before this pic, I couldn’t deny there are still good things in the world like red sunsets. Even if thieves and bad people muck stuff up every now and again.
Well. One of us takes her time to carve things rig Well. One of us takes her time to carve things right....No. I don’t know what it is. (It was supposed to be Chucky but she carved the wrong parts.) (I still admire the attention to detail.)
#OneDayHH — 8:23PM — Felt like the right time #OneDayHH — 8:23PM —
Felt like the right time to try Schitt’s Creek again. I couldn’t get into it last I tried.
But non-football-watching wives of football watchers do as they must do. And they must do it alone.
#OneDayHH — 6PM — Early evening still life. #OneDayHH — 6PM — 
Early evening still life. 
Husband working/watching football.
Outdoor cushions sheltered from possible rain showers tonight.
Buddha watching over all.
#OneDayHH — 3:50PM — Pulled my old diary out y #OneDayHH — 3:50PM — Pulled my old diary out yesterday for a work something...
About to put it back and this earnestness catches my eye from adolescent Debbie...
😳
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2021 · Hello Chicky

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.