A year ago today, we were sitting in our house in Reseda, watching as a bunch of strangers packed our lives into boxes and loaded them onto a truck. Maggie sat stressed out, not understanding why we were allowing this to happen.

A year ago today, we cried as we said good-bye to the home we had filled with love and known for twenty years.

A year ago today, we drove away in Beanie, not knowing what the future would hold for us as we set off on a giant adventure that would take us to live in an unknown place filled with unknown people.

Today, I'm sitting at my desk, looking out my window at the snow-covered streets of a village that has become the best home I've ever known. When I walked out in those streets this morning, I saw so many wonderful people who have become my friends, and I felt blessed in more ways than I can count.

It is an object lesson on the subject of change, because although change can be a terrifying thing, it can also bring untold wonders and gifts. Open yourself to change. Open yourself to new experiences, new joys, new people and yes, even new heartbreaks. All of these things can enrich your life in ways that you can't even begin to imagine.

Ciao for now!

R
(see pictures on my personal site.)