Moving On

One afternoon I announced to Luke that we were moving to the West.  I had been thinking about it since my return from Vietnam.  And not long after this I made a decision not to continue at my current workplace in 2010.  Everything seemed to roll one after the other - it's funny how that happens in life.  I had been quite anxious about having this conversation with Luke because I know how much he loves to live in the mountains.  Every time we returned from the West he would comment on how there are so many trees in the Dandenong Ranges and how the air smells different - keeping in mind that Luke is a boy from the West.  But what did I have to worry about?  I think nothing about me shocks Luke anymore.  I'm always concocting new life plans.  He just happens to come along for the ride. 

There are so many reasons why I want to move to the West.  Bianca, from my Mothers Group, asked me to list my top five reasons for the move.  Here they are:

1.  The lifestyle.  It is close to the heart of Melbourne.  I love the hustle and bustle.  The many cultural and entertainment activities are very inviting.

2.  There are more options for better schools, without too much travel, for Amaya and myself.

3.  Most of my friends live over that side of the town, or close to.  Closer than where I live now anyway.  I miss my friends so much.  Also, Luke's older brother, Josh and his partner Narelle (who are Amaya's godparents), live in the West.  I'm very close to them and I want Amaya to be a part of their family on a more constant basis.  I want her to see her cousins a lot more.

4.  The West is flat and has footpaths.  As I get older I struggle more and more with a two-storey house and I miss been able to get Amaya's pram out and go for a walk without having to battle a main road and the undulating 'footpaths'.     

5.  The dog died -  this confirmed my decision.  One recent Wednesday morning (5.30am) I woke to the sound of a car hitting a dog.  The dog barked that bark that rips your very core when they are in pain.  And the car didn't stop.  I raced out of bed and ran down the stairs in order to assist the dog.  But during that time another car came round the corner skidded and smashed into the dog.  ... And that car too didn't stop.  My heart broke because I knew what I was about to see.  The rest of the story makes me too sad to write about.  This is not the only accident that I have attended outside my house.  The other included a drunk driver in a head-on.  This road is too busy.  People drive too fast.  The house is on a bend.  I need to protect my family.

Don't get me wrong.  I do love aspects about living in the mountains.  I will miss: the fresh air; the community aspect at the shops and local cafes; the friends I have made through Mothers Group; Cameo theatre; Kallista Tearooms; my house and all its memories; my beautiful garden and flat backyard; my mum's bulbs in the  garden; the birds; and the gorgeous drive to work.  But it's time to move on.  I love change.  It's exciting.