Movin' On

On the occasion of the New Year, I asked my immediate family about their goals and wishes for 2007. My nine-year-old son said that he plans "to pee more." The almost thirteen-year old daughter indicated that she would "try not to get mad so frequently." And my darling husband resolves to "be nice." All signs of their place in their lives. The nine year old doesn't want to wet his bed - I don't blame him, he had an accident not long before he started a new school this past Fall. The current 'tween is experiencing heretofore unknown hormonal fluctuations which send her moods swinging like a flying trapeze and the husband is, in general, nice but I think that he thinks that if he's nicer, perhaps I will be happier/more pleasant. What I hope he meant to say was "be thoughtful." That might render me more pleasant to be around. And speaking of me, the mother, the provider, the pillar - I'm looking for a bit of heaven in 2007. For years I've spoken about, even written about, the idea shared by flight attendants worldwide that in the event of in-flight decompression, passengers should put on their own air mask before aiding those that may require assistance. My airplane isn't going down. That's not the heaven I'm alluding to. Instead, I'm looking out for number one. I'm taking responsibility for my happiness by taking care of myself. And here's why.

For the last 18 years, I've worked full time, I've cared for ailing parents and needy siblings, travelled for business and pleasure and started a family of my own. The truth is, I'm lucky and grateful despite the aforementioned rumblings. In 2006, I underwent elective surgery in an effort to prevent developing a certain cancer for which I am at risk. I'm cancer free. Most recently, my husband was offered a career opportunity clear across the country, the kind of job that's hard to refuse, not because of the money, but because of his passion for his work. So, ever the good wife/mother, I packed up the canyon home, the kids and car and we hit the road. Literally.

Our path took us from Los Angeles to New York City by way of Yosemite, Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone, Mt. Rushmore and the Badlands, Iowa and Chicago, Pittsburgh, Frank Lloyd Wright's Falling Water and Hot Springs, VA. The cross-country excursion marked a profound moment/three weeks in the history of our family, between coasts, between lives. I'm happy to report that the children settled comfortably into their new school settings, the husband loves his new digs, we have copious living space on Manhattan's Upper East Side with a large terrace to boot. Meanwhile, my journey, my trek ... Has anyone seen the welcome wagon?