Appreciating the Tranquility of Home.

I constantly vacillate between whether rural Maine is the best place to raise our family or whether we should consider moving to "the city". For those who have read this blog since its inception, you are all too aware of my indecision on this matter. But can you blame me? I mean, our rural country setting is just so darn peaceful, beautiful and relaxing. We can hear ourselves think. We can enjoy nature. We can raise farm animals. Heck, we can run naked through the woods without a soul seeing us! (Ok, we haven't done this yet ... but there was this one night where Daddy 'made love' with Mommy on the porch - try doing that in downtown Bangor!).

However, there is the 'other side' that just keeps calling to me ... cities have museums, parks, public pools, playgroups (ok, I hate playgroups...), theatres, PEOPLE, craft groups, awesome libraries, etc... all within walking distance. And I want my son to have all this. But I don't want him to lose out on having an amazing backyard where he can freely explore, or a small farm of animals that he enjoys, or the tranquility that living among the woods provides. Sure, we are just a 45 minute ride from Bangor but sometimes that feels like too much. But maybe it isn't. I mean, maybe that is the answer? Maybe I should just learn to 'enjoy the ride'. That way we can have the best of both worlds. Hmmmm....there's a thought. But I must say, that thought doesn't cut it in the winter! I loathe driving back and forth to Bangor in the winter and that is when I become ready to put the house on the market and buy a downtown home on 1/8 of an acre within walking distance to everything.

But the next time those thoughts creep in, I need to remember the days that Isaac and I travel just 8 miles to Sebasticook Lake, where he thoroughly enjoys the water, the ducks, the tranquility ...

And I also need to remember that it is here - our rural home - where Isaac finds his greatest joys. It is here that Isaac asks to come back to every time we are away for too long. "Mama, I home now", he pleads. Then when we pull into the driveway, he will happily exclaim, "Mama, I home!" as though he had been away for eons. He, like his Mama, enjoys his own company as well as the company of trees, birds, flowers and rocks. And though he needs to get out into the world to meet and greet people and to enjoy the excitement of the city once in a while ... he is thankful to come home to this quiet space when the excitement has worn off. So, at least for now, I think we will stay right here (that is, until my Seasonal Affective Disorder kicks in).

Love,

Jodi

Posted in: Home, Maine