My Life in NY

Well tomorrow is the day we pack up the computer so before I go away from here I wanted to pay tribute to the life I have been able to have while I have been in NY. Six years isn't an extremely long time somewhere but it is long enough to feel like this is my life and it is hard to imagine my life somewhere else doing other things. Here are some things that make up my life in NY.

1. My house: From the cupboards to the floors we picked out everything. We watched it built from the ground up. I can remember the first night in our house, P was on the midnight shift, and I lay in bed listening to the cars on the freeway go by and somehow feeling comforted that even though my husband wasn't there with me at least I had the sound of the cars to keep me company.

2. Our street: Many houses have changed owners but I pass each house every day as I come and go.

3. Two horses: There are two horses that we pass on the way to many places that make H's day. It is a part of our life to point out those horses and see her get so excited about them. Then we talk about if they are hungry or tired or what they will do that day.

4. Golf Course Signs: The golf course near by has been putting up new signs for over a year now. Every day I pass the signs and wonder if today is the day they will finish their signs. Sadly, after all this waiting it does not seem that they will be complete before I leave. But I will still look every time I drive by until I go.

5. Target: Although I am sure this will be part of my life wherever I go, it is a place that I have been to so frequently that it sticks out as a place in my mind.

6. My friends: When you live far from family, your friends become your family and ours here have always been that. They have celebrated birthdays, thanksgiving, Easter, and Christmas with us among other holidays. They have seen H grow up and watched her so many times it is hard to count. We have shared so many meals, talks, and time together over the past 6 years. They have taken H for me for doctors apts, dentist apts, camp, temple trips, etc. They have been there for me in both the best times and some of the hardest. I will miss these friends so much and will always remember them as my family in NY.

7. Downtown: Our downtown is so much fun and P and I have spent so many hours down there eating at resteraunts, looking at the shops, tasting the strange spring water that flows freely, eating gelato, admiring the horse statues, buying kettle corn, looking at the neat jewely stores, and so much more. Downtown is a place we can never forget as part of our life.

8. Temple: The Boston temple will always hold a special place in my life. It is where we have felt peace and answers to prayers so many times. After a long drive and a long day, sitting in the temple is the best feeling in the world. We will miss this temple (along with the other fun sights in Boston).

9. No routine: A big part of our life, which I will not miss but is a part of my life, is the no routine aspect that a rotating shift gives to you. However, I have many memories with just H and I as we tried to find things to do when P was at work. Walks in the neighborhood, playing at the mall, dinners with friends, and movie nights together are all things that have been a positive part of our life.

10. Parks: H loves the park and taking her there is so much fun to see how excited she gets to be there.

11. Trees: I love that the scenery of NY has been a part of our life. As we drive down a very familiar street nearby and the trees grow so big in the summer that they practically cover the road, I realize how lucky I am to be somewhere so beautiful. Then in the winter as the snow sits on each limb of each tree it looks like a winter wonderland.

12. Church: The ward here has been like no other. I don't expect to ever have a ward as loving and welcoming as the ward has been to us here. It has enriched our life and made us better people.

13. Nearby Deli: There is a deli near us that we have loved it's sandwiches and it's breakfast sandwiches. This isn't a daily part of our life, but a part that will not be forgotten.

14. Deck: The deck that P built last summer has been a fun addition to our life and we will miss it. Hopefully he can create another one for us someday.

15. Camp: Camp has been a huge part of my life over the past two years. Planning and executing two years and working with the people I did has taught me so many great things and I am a better person because of it.

16. Playgroup: We have been part of a playgroup for almost two years now and have taken H to play with friends once a week almost every week. The women in the group and their children are amazing to be around and I will miss their company and their friendships.

17. Albany Airport: Not something most people would say is a part of their life but it is ours. Because of it's small size we know that airport inside and out! We have been there too many times to count and it holds a lot of memories of us there before H and so many times with her in different strollers and different sizes throughout her short life.

18. NYC: Going to the city at least once a year has been a part of our life since we moved here. I have been there with just P, with P and H, with family, with friends, and each time holds many wonderful memories.

19. Long Roads: When I think about what I do on a daily basis I think about the long roads they have here in NY. The ones you can drive on for miles without a stoplight. The ones that have houses placed far apart and you pass these houses everytime and wonder who lives there. I have never lived somewhere this rural and I really do love being able to enjoy the peaceful, but long, drives I have to wherever I am going. The curvy roads keep you alert as you look at the beautiful trees, the horses, and wonder when you are going to see an open field with no trees.

20. My family: Mostly, however, my life is about my family and I am so glad that I can at least take P and H and little one inside me with me. I just wish I could take all of these other parts of my life too but the memories I have are priceless and the people I have been around have all taught me things to take with me.

So in three days I am off to make a new life (with my memories intact). I know it is time and I am so grateful for the chance I had to spend these 6 years here. I am not the same person I was when I moved here. I look forward to making this new life and some new memories and can't wait to get started!

So farewell to NY. We have loved you and will miss you.