This recent commissioned illustration for a going-away gift really brought back a lot of memories about moving often when i was a kid. My dad's job at Eli Lilly was transferred numerous times as i was growing up and had us packing and unpacking every few years or so. We {my sisters and I} always dreaded the "we're going to have a family talk tonight" announcement, because it always meant that we were moving again.
my geography: I was born on Long Island, NEW YORK, moved to Howell, NEW JERSEY when I was 2, moved to Naperville, ILLINOIS when i was 9, moved to Carmel, INDIANA when i was 12, moved back to Naperville, ILLINOIS when I was 14, moved back to Carmel, INDIANA when i was 16. It was so NOT fun being the new girl in school. However, in hindsight, it did force me to become more outgoing; if i was going to make friends i had to put myself "out there". i did make lots of friends along the way {thank you, facebook for reuniting me with some of them!}, and ultimately this very zig-zaggy path led me to Mark. I will forever be grateful. It would have been very difficult to explain the beauty in that logic to a teenager who was leaving her friends behind over and over, but as an adult, i see that now.
I am very grateful that Mark's job has allowed my children to stay put throughout their childhood. I think it's a gift. I know through first hand experience that not everyone has that luxury. However, we lived a very comfy lifestyle growing up and our Dad worked his heart out so that we never wanted for anything. As a parent, i totally appreciate the sacrifices and everything they did for us and our family. Moving was difficult for all of us.
A good friend moved to Florida just last week and i created this collage illustration just for her...
Have you ever been "the new girl" or "the new guy"? Or have you lived in the same place your whole life? What's your story?
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