This morning I walked out of the house before dawn, wearing my fluffy bathrobe and fleece lined boots. The air was cold and crisp, the sky full of stars. It was very dark and silent. Nobody was about, just me, fetching the newspaper. The cold on my skin, the cloudless sky, brought a clarity to the moment.
I’m here. Alive. Awake to the moment. I let it sink in, the holy feeling of waking up to see one more sunrise. Thank you, I thought. Then I went inside to make a cup of tea, light the fire, and write in my journal.
From my writing room, I often catch dawn breaking. I wonder today if there will be a place in my new home where I can see the moon rise, the sun set. If there is not, I hope at least I will be able to greet the dawn. Rosy fingered dawn, some ancient writer called it. I want to see it from my new home, where I hope to start a new writing project.
In less than a month, I will have finished the current manuscript I’ve been working on. I’ll set it aside and come back to it fresh when I return this spring from my big adventure: In less than a month, I will have relocated for the winter from my home in Michigan to a new home in Florida. It has been a long time coming.
Four generations of my family have settled in Florida. My great-grandmother moved her family south from Georgia. My grandmother went south again after moving to Detroit when she married. Then my father left Michigan too, following his matriarchal line to Florida. And now I’m going too. I’m moving to the same town on the Gulf of Mexico where my dad lives. And like my dad, I’ll be splitting my time between two states.
Because, like my dad, I am married to someone whose roots are in Michigan. Al will come with me to Florida in January, to help me set up my new home, our new home, but then he’ll return to Michigan for work in the winter cold and snow, while I stay in the sunshine state, settling in.
Al and I have been married 31 years. We’ve never been apart for more than a week. But winter was hard on me last year, hard on my bones and my psyche. I promised myself I would not suffer through it again. And although it is not yet winter on the calendar, this morning I felt the first stirrings of the bitter cold to come. For the first time, knowing winter was on its way did not sink me into despair.
cynthiaharrison.com 
Beautiful post, Cindy. And wow, I didn’t realize, fully, that you are really and truly moving to Florida for good! I certainly don’t blame you, but you’ll be missed here in Michigan. I am looking forward to reading your posts, soaked in sunshine, once you settle there. And I loved Rainer Maria Rilke’s “Letters” … it really influenced my own writing career and attitude as well. One of those life-changing books.
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Thank you! I am moving, but I will be back this spring, Cindy. About a minute after we bought the Florida house, my son (and grandson!) moved back to Michigan. So we’ll always come back here. My favorite Michigan season in fall and I don’t want to miss it, ever!
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I can’t wait for the photos from Florida! So excited for you! xx
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It is gonna be fun to have something new to photograph. I’m taking sunsets on every beach! There are 5 little keys off our mainland and each has it’s own stunning beach:)
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Reblogged this on Anita Dawes & Jaye Marie.
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I wondered what you have been up to… more writing and pastures new, how exciting!
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Was going through a really introverted period Jaye…but my friend Autumn gave me some Reiki and wow I’m writing again (after four months of struggling to put a sentence together).
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I have never heard of Reiki being good for that, but whatever works, I say!
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Great post! We moved to South Florida about 25 years ago for good. My youngest was just starting High School. My sons were just about done with University and stayed in New York. Both had a girlfriend (whom they married, after graduating from university and landing good jobs. My daughter wasn’t happy but she had no choice, my bones couldn’t take the weather any more. She was going back for university but, she never left. Graduated FAU with a Bachelors of Science Degree with double majors and double minors. Landed a good job and is still living here with her husband and they have blessed us with two beautiful grand daughters. My sons also blessed us with grand children. We go back to visit but never in winter. :o)
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I’m so glad to know it all worked out for you. I’ve been trying to get back there for a long, long time!
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Good luck, Cynthia!
May the force – (and sun) – be with you. x
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Thanks June:)
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