Awake

One Year Later

It's officially been one year since I moved to the Rogue Valley. I went from living on my own to living with Grandpa Doug to living in the office. It's an odd progression of events, but if my life isn't a bit odd, I usually wonder if I'm doing something wrong.

Carving out a life for myself in Ashland has had its rewards and its risks. It's rewarding to have office space of my own and to have that office space be comfy and cozy. If anything, the risk has come of being too comfortable or of perhaps lacking the motivation that comes with interaction with co-workers. On the other hand, owning my own business, having my own rent to pay (not to mention a pile of other bills) has been motivation enough to keep up productivity, even if my list of tasks overwhelms me. It has been rewarding to be next door to the salon and to pop over for appointments at a moment's notice. I wonder if I'm not taking a risk building up my web business to the point of not having time to grow my massage practice. It is a delicate balance that is a challenge to maintain.

Staying in Southern Oregon has had its social risks and rewards as well. As my niece Adalie concluded to me last weekend, "You're living all alone now, aren't you Auntie?" Well, yes I am, and as I explained to her (as well as myself), Auntie does enjoy some time to herself but she has also made some new friends in Ashland and has family here as well. Without them, I would be very lonely indeed. I even met a kindred spirit in faith a few weeks ago and it has been so exciting to discuss topics like the need for discipleship and leadership development in the local church, topics that are foreign to everyone else that I hang out with.

Life would be decidedly different if I had stayed in Portland. I don't know what it would have looked like because I had been envisioning a life in Ashland long before I could actually write 97520 on my return address. This is pretty close to what I originally imagined; in some ways it's better than I thought it would be and in other ways it leaves something to be desired. Or someone. But it is a good beginning and I'm happy that one year later, I'm here.