I’ve only experienced this feeling 5 times in my life. It’s a distinct feeling when I experience it. Each time, it’s just as painful and sad. I’m talking about moving time. It’s the feeling you get as you close the doors for the last time to a place you once lived. It’s the last glance into the empty house as you close the doors behind you. It’s like you are closing the doors on a chapter in your life that carried so many memories. Do you know what I’m talking about? Have you ever felt that before?
My first move (in my memory) was out of our first house in Plano. The second time was packing up my dorm room in Crocker Hall at A&M. The third time, closing the doors at Dexter Place duplexes in College Station. Fourth time, I had graduated from college, and I lived with 3 college friends in a house by UTD for a year. The fifth time was earlier this week. I helped my parents pack up their house, and they moved off to Malaysia.
My parents have gone from living 1/2 a mile away to 1/2 the world away. My parents’ ability to watch their grandchild grow up has gone from a phone call, “Can we stop by?” to watching him grow up on the internet (through this website). I just spoke with my dad right after they arrived; it’s a 30 hour trip from door to door. One of the first things they did upon arrival was jump on a computer so they could see the most recent updates of baby Aidan.
I am happy for my dad because he’s worked hard all his life and sacrificed so much for me (and the rest of the family). He has created such a great name for us and his hard work has meant a lot to me. He is respected by his working peers, and I am sure that is why they chose him to be the guy to run the shop in Malaysia. So, I am glad he’s going to have this opportunity. But, I am also selfishly sad that he’s going to be so far.
At least it will only be a two year commitment, and then they’ll be back.