Recently a dear friend of mine (Thanks Michele) got me to thinking about how it “must be bitter sweet” to visit a place I had once lived. And it was. For so many reasons.
I recently headed back to Chambersburg, PA to settle Caitlin in her new place as she will be attending school there. The first time we lived here was in 1981 through 1984, and we often referred to this time as “being sentenced in hell.” We were young, recently married, and did not like being transplanted from NJ to the quiet country side where everything closed after 6pm. (Except a few random dive bars and the VFW). We made friends that have lasted a long time, but even they hated it, so we all hung out in misery together.
The first home Jim and I lived in was set on a hill right on the Appalachian Mountains. You could not have asked for a more magnificent view. The animals (deer, wild turkey, and the occasional bear) were in abundance and kept us intrigued. Yet still we felt like we were living in hell. Just how many animals does it take to keep our attention? Apparently not many. We tired of them too after a while.
We then moved closer to town, and subsequently had Caitlin. NOW that was the one good thing that we experienced while living there. Jim got orders for Germany and we could finally leave this hell hole of a place. YAY!
In 1999, we once again found ourselves transplanted right back into Chambersburg. The government had moved us from NJ to OK and because my dad was terminally ill, we got what Uncle Sam referred to as a “Compassionate Reassignment” and “Oh by the way, we will be reducing your pay as we really do not need that grade level here, but we will consider taking you.” We had no choice and I needed, we all needed, to be closer to home. To my dad.
With the good comes the bad and we really struggled financially to the point that I was making costumes almost around the clock to keep food on the table and the bills paid. Jim and I discovered the world of eBay and we were off and running. Each and every weekend we would do garage sales to find things I could use for costumes (yes costume makings and trims were out there) and we even bought and resold items we knew would bring in the cash cow. (No pun intended) YAY for eBay!!
Times were tough but we got through them and during this time period we stuck together as a family, getting each other through the hard times, the death of my dad, and even living in Chambersburg. In 2001, we left to head back to NJ (Jim finally out of the government) and we could not wait. YAY! Out of the cornfields and away from the ongoing daily smell of manure. No more stupid Wal-Mart only.
It was years later though they we all came to realize that this simple existence we all lived in for three years was not so bad after all. We had very few choices and lived in a tiny (The locals called the development we lived in “Smurfville” as the house were so tiny) house that was easily managed (Thanks to my sewing talents and eBay) and even got out more to enjoy the countryside. Even the animals we encountered took on new meaning. The trails we hiked were more fun, but not quite NJ.
The point is, that sometimes we put on the blinders and muster up all the negativity without good reason and later regret those choices. I wish I had enjoyed Chambersburg more the first time around. I wish I had enjoyed it more the second time. Now I yearn for those quite country roads, that God awful smell of manure, and having simpler choices to make. If I could move tomorrow, I would. Right back to Chambersburg.
Enjoy what you have. Enjoy each minute of your existence as best you can. We have to find the good in things, even when times are tough. I know I have.
