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OPINION: One box at a time

'As long as you stay ahead of the planning, you’ll see. Everything that needs to get done, will come together,' said my father-in-law.
2018-04-13-Moving-boxes-AB
Moving boxes. File photo.

Moving. How could I describe it in a way to capture the overwhelming reality that comes with packing up your entire life and relocating over 200 km away? Moving is like trying to steer forward when you are caught in a tailspin.  

So much to do; so much to consider. Endless amounts of logistics and preparations have to be set in motion. All the while, the days are counting down and you have less time to do more before the big day arrives. Yet somehow everything that needs to get done, usually gets done just in the nick of time.  

On the first day of serious packing, I had misplaced my glasses among the chaos and have resorted to using a six-year-old old pair of lenses to get me through. I have also found pieces of a game that has already been packed away - the joys of moving, am I right? 

I have moved many times before in my life, even experiencing a period in university where my home was stuffed into a duffle bag and a laundry hamper that traveled with me from couch to couch. And yet, this move seems different, bigger. Perhaps moving is like childbirth, the trauma of it quickly fades in time - so I’ve heard - increasing your willingness to do it all again.   

Even though I am excited to have my very own office and start fresh as a reporter in the small but vibrant community of Bonnyville, there are times when it all feels like too much.   

While sharing the burdens that were overtaking me and my fiancé, my father-in-law made a comment that shifted my perspective. He said, as long as you are the one making the decisions you’re still in control – and that’s what matters.   

There is nothing worse than when fate provides you with disagreeable life-changes and you have no say in the matter. In those unfortunate events all that can be done is managing the fallout.  

Countless people are faced with relocation, not because of their choosing, but because circumstances outside of their control have invariably made the decision for them. People who have lost jobs or seen a spike in rent in-between lease agreements or had an injury or illness affect their mobility, have likely seen options quickly taken away.   

“As long as you stay ahead of the planning, you’ll see. Everything that needs to get done, will come together,” he told us.  

At that moment, a part of me knew he was right, but for now I am still standing on one side of a vast divide looking across at the countless obstacles I need to accomplish before I reach the other side. In the week ahead, there will be nothing else to do but to go through it and that is a daunting reality. 

Although, now it feels as though I have a quiet sliver of peace inside telling me, “Don’t worry, I know you will get it done because you are taking it one step at a time.”   

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