Life on the River

It has been 7 years since we left the Washington D.C area for Oregon. Our daughters have grown up, we have logged many frequent flyer miles, met wonderful new friends, and have had sweet reunions every year with those on the east coast. There is no simple answer to the question I often get asked, " Do you like it better here, or there?" One of my wise friends from DC, upon hearing we were moving, said "We are all pilgrims in this life." And hopefully we can make an impact wherever we are, or go. There are always going to be "what ifs." So the answer to the question is that our girls have had fabulous opportunities here, made genuine friends, and are on their way to creating their own paths. Living on the river reminds me of this every day, in fact, every time I look out and see the water flowing, sometimes very fast, sometimes like a lazy river in the summer. That water will be in Portland soon, then out to the Pacific Ocean...I won't see it again. So it is with children growing up and us growing older.
It is interesting to move somewhere entirely new later in life. I wonder how well established I might have been, had I lived and worked here for many years, rather than relocate several times in my adult life...I love meeting people who are newer to town than me, as well as long-timers. 
I am grateful for the daily reminder of that river flowing, and it's imagery in every aspect of my life!