Driving Down Memory Lane and Reflecting on Moving 16 Times

I've spent today driving down "memory lane".

My great-grandmother, Nannie E, had been saying for a while that she was wanting to go over to the other side of the Sound (Roper, NC) to see the old farmhouse in which she lived for over 30 years and raised her family. I also lived in the same town from ages 13-16, so I was looking forward to seeing how things had changed since I last visited a couple years ago. This morning I picked up Nannie E and we drove over the choppy Albemarle Sound and down the familiar country roads. Except for some new condos on the Sound, nothing much had changed. Nothing really ever changes around there.

After Nannie E saw her old house, we drove back to Edenton to have lunch and get her groceries. I dropped Nannie E off at her current home, which is in the town I lived in from ages 17-19, and I drove by my family's old house as I went to visit some of the old neighbor ladies that had become dear to me when we lived there (I would visit and take them cookies every couple months).

Because we just moved for the 16th time in 14 years, lately I've been reflecting on all of my family's moving around. We've moved a lot. I heard somewhere that moving is #3 on the most traumatic events for people, followed by the death of a loved one and divorce. While there have been friends that I've missed, and moves that I absolutely hated as they occurred, I would never consider moving to be nearly as heart-wrenching as what I imagine divorce or death of a family member or dear friend would be.

Of course, since I was homeschooled, I never had to transfer schools throughout all of our moving and I'm sure that would have made moving much more difficult. Also, only 3-4 of our 16 moves were drastic and included moving to new towns (the others were within the same areas) and I've only ever lived in two states.

However, it was often very sad to leave behind friends, churches, communities, familiarity, etc. I have never felt "connected" or as if I belong in any town. I've often longed to belong somewhere. When people ask what my hometown is, I honestly don't have an answer. I vividly recall the disappointment of some moves and living in new towns where I felt so alone at first.

But as I drove down the old familiar roads today, visiting with old friends, and seeing the places where many of my childhood's happy memories took place, I would eagerly do it all again if given the chance. Every move has been worthwhile. Looking back on all of our moving around, I am very grateful for moving so many times. I have been immersed in so many different areas and among so many different, diverse people. Even though I may not "belong" in any one town, I have sweet memories and experiences in many towns. I have happy thoughts of days spent at Papa Ray and Mrs. Amy's, an older couple who lived on our dirt road and went to our church and treated us like their own grandkids, letting us eat at their house, swim in the Sound at their house, and spend the night at their house often throughout the summers. I smile when I recall Mrs. Joyner, the elderly lady who lived near a different house and absolutely loved Carolina basketball and claimed Tyler Hansbrough as "her boy". I remember Megan, the sweet neighbor friend I had as a 11-12 year old, and our fun practicing soccer and carpooling for soccer practices and games. I think of the friends I've collected throughout the many moves and how they have impacted my life.

Also, moving has taught me a lot about contentment and letting God be my closest Friend when I don't have any friends. It has also forced our family to become friends with eachother.

I am mostly sharing this to write down my thoughts, but also to encourage anyone who may be discouraged because of where God has their family right now. He promises that, "for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28, ESV)