Almost Home

  For most people, sitting in a mostly empty house would be a bit depressing, but in this instance I'm not one of those.   I look around at the empty rooms and walls and daydream about what my life will be filled with in just a few weeks, because in just 16 short days I'll no longer call the United States my home (how strange that sounds coming from someone who gave 5 years of their life serving their country in the military).
  A little over a month ago I received the news that my daughter and I had been approved for residence and work permits in Sweden, a necessary step in the process of moving in and becoming a family with my amazingly wonderful boyfriend, who happens to live in Stockholm.  The pace of our lives has drastically increased since receiving the news....three days later Cierra finished her last day of school in the U.S., and two days after that was on a plane to Oklahoma in order to spend some time with that part of the family before we move thousands of miles away.  Of course, I was left in Seattle to make all the arrangements for the move.  Joel and I sat down with our calendars and picked the "Big Move Day", May 3rd, and that's when the marathon began.
  Oh sure, everyone  thinks that the hard part of moving is actually doing it...but to be honest, it's really informing your extended family that you are moving out of the country.  Full of nerves and after a few bumps and bruises I managed to inform everyone, but it's like telling them all over again once you have the move date set.  I informed my landlord, my boss, and all the other companies, places and people who you don't really think of until you realize you are getting  rid of and shutting off everything.  I fretted about being able to sell my car in time, but to my relief it sold quickly.  My mother drove over from Idaho and packed up my living room furniture and TV and hauled it home the next day.  I took a few days off of work and made, what feels like, a thousand runs to goodwill, the landfill etc.  Now all that is left is the things in my bedroom.  I have four large suitcases sitting open in my living room just waiting for me to pack...but two weeks early seems a bit premature for that.  I have a good-bye party with my co-workers this Friday, a final weekend to wrap things up here at home, then next weekend I'll fly to Oklahoma to pick up Cierra, then turn around and fly right back.
  I keep trying to wrap my mind around the fact that next week is my last week at work, that the following Monday I turn in the key to my townhouse, and three days later Cierra and I will fly halfway around the world to a home we've seen, but never step foot in, to a home that I love, not for where it is, or what it looks like, but for what it holds inside:  My love, my best friend, my Joel.  Of course he has been very adorable to watch this past month as well, making sure everything is perfect for our arrival.  Booster seat in his car,  bicycle for Cierra,  lots of pink in Cierra's room, new couch, new mattress toppers, new sheets, obscenely clean home, newly updated parking spots, discussions about first meals and first outings, practice shopping....the list goes on and on.  I couldn't be happier.
  The best part is, I'll wake up tomorrow with a smile on my face and say "only 15 more days".