So our baby is due in late January, and between now and then, we're planning on finding two career-level jobs on the other side of the country, finding an apartment on the other side of the country, packing up everything we own here, hopping in the car, driving like mad to get there, and doing it all probably in about a two-week window.
Sound like insanity? Perhaps it is, but it's also one of those weird life-risks you sometimes have to take. For starters, we know how much more challenging it would be to do all this after the baby is born. The other bigger question -- why do it at all? -- is one that our family and friends have understandably struggled with. All I can say is that we're doing it because our hearts are in the West. I grew up there, and my wife fell in love with it as soon as she visited. It is the place where we want to raise our kids, simple as that.
We've certainly struggled with all the uncertainty hanging over the whole picture, but at the same time, there's a deeper feeling that it is the absolute right thing to do. It may be sheer foolishness to take such a plunge at our age and in our situation, but at the same time, it may be sheer foolishness not to. Sometimes it's difficult to pick out all the reasons why a decision is the right one, and you have to just go with the gut.
I've worked for many years on being comfortable with uncertainty, and that helps. Just because something is unknown, it does not follow that it will turn out badly. By constantly trying to anticipate and prevent disaster by having everything planned to a tee, you also forgo the happy surprises. I love those surprises, and I've had many great ones in my life. To me, they are worth pursuing. Fear is never an adequate motivator.
It may get infinitely harder to pursue the unknown once kids enter the picture, but my wife and I balance each other out that way, something for which I am thankful. Even if we have only parts of our road map in focus, I feel like we can fill in the fuzzy areas as we go. This willingness to embrace the void is, I think, what will ultimately allow us to raise children in a meaningful way while continuing to grow ourselves.
Anyway, enough philosophizing for this week. Signing off for now. Have a spectacular, surprise filled weekend, and get ready for a few big announcements next week!
Sound like insanity? Perhaps it is, but it's also one of those weird life-risks you sometimes have to take. For starters, we know how much more challenging it would be to do all this after the baby is born. The other bigger question -- why do it at all? -- is one that our family and friends have understandably struggled with. All I can say is that we're doing it because our hearts are in the West. I grew up there, and my wife fell in love with it as soon as she visited. It is the place where we want to raise our kids, simple as that.
We've certainly struggled with all the uncertainty hanging over the whole picture, but at the same time, there's a deeper feeling that it is the absolute right thing to do. It may be sheer foolishness to take such a plunge at our age and in our situation, but at the same time, it may be sheer foolishness not to. Sometimes it's difficult to pick out all the reasons why a decision is the right one, and you have to just go with the gut.
I've worked for many years on being comfortable with uncertainty, and that helps. Just because something is unknown, it does not follow that it will turn out badly. By constantly trying to anticipate and prevent disaster by having everything planned to a tee, you also forgo the happy surprises. I love those surprises, and I've had many great ones in my life. To me, they are worth pursuing. Fear is never an adequate motivator.
It may get infinitely harder to pursue the unknown once kids enter the picture, but my wife and I balance each other out that way, something for which I am thankful. Even if we have only parts of our road map in focus, I feel like we can fill in the fuzzy areas as we go. This willingness to embrace the void is, I think, what will ultimately allow us to raise children in a meaningful way while continuing to grow ourselves.
Anyway, enough philosophizing for this week. Signing off for now. Have a spectacular, surprise filled weekend, and get ready for a few big announcements next week!
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