Happy New Year

That temptation to commute over the river and through the jungle to all of the culture and worldly happenings of the city has resulted in something pretty big. We are moving. The destination this time is much closer to Grandma's house, our time living permenantly in Costa Rica is ending. When we first moved here I told my mom that I would never leave. I couldn't imagine being satisfied with life anywhere else. The gentle temperatures in the mountains, the mystic clouds hanging in my yard, the access to beautiful beaches and the thrill of having just moved to a foreign country all assured me that I was home, forever.

What I have found, in the seven years since our Costa Rican adventure began, is that I love life here, but I do not belong. I feel what many other expats feel. Once you uproot yourself from your homeland, you are a free ship at sea. I may drop anchor here and there, but the sails of my being remind me that there is a big world out there to explore. I want my girls to know more too. I am grateful that they have spent so many of their tender years in an agrarian community. The rural, natural, simple side of life in Costa Rica is what we came here for, and what we have enjoyed. The urban side of this country has simply never captured me the same way.

So, I welcome a new year with a new adventure ahead. I love change. I am really excited to give the opportunities of life in the United States to my girls. I am grateful for the last seven years and all of the memories we will take with us. In that bag of keepsakes is a deep understanding of the good, bad and ugly side to this beautiful, tropical country. I would never have chosen to live through some of the ugly details of our journey here, but they have made my family unit stronger. The good people we have encountered will carry with me much longer than the evil ones. Good does triumph over evil, and there are many dark souls here who I pity. For all of the good ones, and there are plenty, I wish you continued success in this fabulous journey through life. Happy New Year!