Merry "whatever doesn't offend you": Peace, love, and a little family fighting

I always knew, but never really thought, I'd be the kind of person who moved out of my hometown. I dreamed it, but part of me always thought I'd stay put. Like most things in my life, I was ambivalent about it. Over six years ago, my husband came home with the news that we had the opportunity to move to Phoenix, AZ. Just a slight change from our gorgeous, yet gloomy Seattle. We deliberated, but decided to go for it. Moving was everything I'd ever dreamed of...and dreaded. I love the weather here, but it has been a difficult change. I only thought it would take a couple of years to settle in, make friends, and resume our wonderful (if not complicated) life. It took a lot longer. Like 4 years longer. I thought we'd NEVER make friends! It took forever, but now, here, on Christmas Eve, I have so much to be thankful for. I love how I am friends with people in Seattle now that I wasn't that close to when I lived there (thank you Facebook!). I love how I've kept in touch with Seattle friends, that even though they're not every day staples like they used to be, we can pick it up in a heartbeat. And I used to have a hard time mourning the friendships that seemed to disappear when we moved, but now I have enough distance to just be grateful that these lovely people were there in our lives when we needed them. And a few old friends that had gone AWOL are suddenly reappearing! I can't begin to express my appreciation for the people we've met here, who hung in there with me. They listened to story after story about how AMAZING Seattle is. And occasionally they still have to listen to it. It's part of who I am. But I have to admit...I'm part Phoenician now, too. Maybe it's easier when I've got the love of my life by my side. I hope it is, because even though I doubt it will happen, I hope we end up overseas somewhere cool together. All my love to all of you...past, present, future...who have extended your hand, your ear, your shoulder, your laughter, your tears, to reach out and touch my life in such incredible ways. Bless you, my friends. Bless you.