Well that caught me by surprise

I'm driving up the steep hill to our home. Steep as in you do not want to have to walk up it if you can avoid it. Right as I am about to enter the property through the gate it dawns on me. California has always been my home. My family moved to Orange County in 1960 to a wonderful little place called Rossmoor. It was a great place and time to grow up. I knew my neighbors and made friends that have lasted my lifetime. We could play all day and come in when the street lights came on or we heard my dad's whistle. Believe me there was no way to say you didn't hear it.

After college, still in California, and deciding several times what I wanted to 'be when I grew up' one of my jobs brought me the opportunity to live out of state. It was short-lived and still California was home. My Mother, brother and sister were there. After two years away I cam home. I've lived in towns up and down the state. At 62 I have spent 57 years here in CA. And driving up to the house it hit me. CA will no longer be home. My sister moved away 20 years ago and my brother not that much after her. My mother has passed away and CA has just my friends who are like family because I've known them since the 60's.

Although it came as a shock to think about it, I am not sad. I'm grateful to have an opportunity to build a new home, sense of community and friends and neighbors. I am not sad to be leaving either emotionally or logically. It's the right move for us. But that is for another day...