I wonder how many different addresses we have had. Better yet, how many addresses will there be in our future. Being members of military families means a variety of moves both in the US and abroad. The saying was “I’m being moved” for
IBM families. Most likely, we’ve moved a variety of times whether for school, career, marriage, or even travel.
Marty Coffin Evans 2024
Those serving as Vista Volunteers, in Teach America or the Peace Corps have moved several times. We’ve know people who uprooted from one city to move where their children lived. That worked well until those same children were relocated elsewhere leaving the parents behind.
I remember several couples who moved from their communities to the northern part of that particular state. What looked initially as idyllic turned out not to be so. They felt isolated and, in one case, realized the medical facilities were
not as accessible. Soon, back they moved near their previous homes. With aging parents, a question arises who should move where. Do parents move closer to their children, even crossing state lines to do so? Most commonly, that’s the
answer.
As with any change, adjustments occur. Finding an acceptable amount of distance between the two families – 20-30 minutes, no more than 60 – can provide a challenge depending on the communities and available housing. “I don’t want to move there because you’ll feel you have to see me all the time,” commented one mother to her children. She remained in a different state rather than moving closer to her family. All worked well until health problems arose.
No matter the move, establishing connections in a new community or housing complex results in a better experience. Many opportunities exist though community programs, educational offerings, recreational centers, and more.
How many addresses have you had? What’s next?
Martha (Marty) Coffin Evans, Ed.D., is a freelance writer with MACE Associates, LLC. Follow her blog on artycoffinevans.com; email her at itsmemartee@aol.com.