Today, I am Better

Typically, I assume the audience for this blog is those who have traversed the north side of 50s.  For this post, that assumption is particularly important because while I figure that anyone younger than 50 might have a difficult time identifying with what I write, for this post I am certain of same.

My husband, Dan, has served as a wedding officiant a number of times, and he always includes this observation (paraphrased):  Back in my day, the young folk didn't live together before they got married.  Today so many of the young folk do, even purchasing a house, perhaps having a child or two, before walking down the aisle.  He then adds what a good idea he believes this is, as it gives couples the opportunity to really get to know each other that, back in our day, we didn't necessarily have.

All four of our children bought a house with their significant other/fiancee before they got married.

Back in our day, we did what virtually all our cronies were doing.  We graduated from college, got married and moved into an apartment, preferably one close to where we worked and/or public transportation.  Our first abode was an apartment complex close to my work which proudly advertised amenities: underground parking, indoor and outdoor pool, 4 antiquated (even then) pieces of workout equipment, and a common room that virtually no one used.  We lived there for nearly 5 years (an abortive attempt at building a home another story), moving to a townhouse shortly before Molly's (first child) birth.

The other day, out of the blue, I had a vivid flash of memory.  I was standing in the kitchen on moving day, checking the cabinets to ensure they were empty, when I thought to myself, "Huh.  I guess someday, once our kids are grown and gone and we're retired, we'll just move back into an apartment."

Huh.  This is literally (a favorite adverb of two grandchildren) what we have done.  

Regular readers may note that the potential of us ending up in an apartment after the sale of our home was not pure speculation but indeed acknowledged as a possibility--but one pretty far down the line of, "Where are you going to live?" options.

Yet here we are, following the path that laid out as the 'best.'

The dog is the least happy of the three of us.

Today, a day into the "apartment home" life, I am better.

Not 'completely' better but neither 'sorta' better.

As of this writing, our plan continues to find a single-level townhome to buy.  I am not that much better that I am willing to forgo that plan.

We are renting in an apartment complex Dan designed a couple years ago, giving him an opportunity to live in something he designed.  We both saw that as a bonus.  The complex is about ten minutes east of where we previously lived, which will afford us the ability to continue with the activities in the old neighborhood we are strongly tied into.  Our unit is flooded with sunshine; it has a balcony (apartment living version of the great outdoors); like our first apartment, the complex boasts many amenities.  The heated outdoor pool opens tomorrow.  The community rooms are well-appointed, including one with a cooktop so we could potentially see the Breakfast Parent in action for a large group.  Underground parking is heated! Benny has enjoyed the dog run and should we so choose, there is a pet spa (a spot where we can give him a bath without breaking our backs).  Yes, there's fitness equipment and the upgrade from fifty years ago includes a golf/baseball simulator.  So far I've only taken advantage of the trash room, as the final culling I might have done before we moved ended up in multiple boxes instead.  And, as many friends and family members marvel, "Maintenance free living!"

It's better.

Better than I imagined.  The sunlight will do that for me.

Better when I let go of futile attempts to make the apartment mimic my house.  That is very, very difficult for me. 

Sorry if you never watched Star Trek: The Next Generation

Better when I find spaces that will work and embrace the newness.

Because it will do.

Better when I'm not nearly as discombobulated as I've felt this month.  Not sure I am back to being combobulated, but it could happen.

Today.  Today, I am Better.