Chapter 4-The migrant journey continues

This week I have been battling with ‘stuff’ . Yes, all the stuff we have accumulated over the years. Essential stuff, comfy stuff, sporty stuff, nice to have stuff, ‘I forgot to throw away’ stuff, lost and found stuff, ‘things I didn’t know I had’ stuff, ‘things OH bought forgetting that he already had one’ stuff, medical stuff, toysy stuff, booksy stuff, and a lot of other stuff. 

I’ve been rummaging,digging, pulling, washing, wiping, throwing(yes even that—though you wouldn’t tell from what remains),organizing, sorting, piling, boxing, cleaning, and doing all sorts with all sorts of stuff. All this is in prep for the shippers due next week. They are supposed to make it easy and pack everything for us ready for storage and shipping but I now feel I might have been better off doing the packing myself for all the effort its taking to sort things and organize them so that I know what’s where when we reach the end of this journey. Okay, I maybe obsessing a bit here but guess I am entitled to, after all this.

So now there is no mistaking the fact that we are on the move—yes again. If one good thing is coming out of this it will be that we have now lightened our load tremendously—about a decade worth of stuff has been sorted and sifted thoroughly(at least as thorough a couple of hoarders can be). Next we need to pack our bags and start our journey into the unknown. We have made no plans so that helps. Once our stuff goes into storage we are free—free to do as we please with our time and decide what we would like to do and where we would like to go.

Do we visit dear friends who have asked us to stop by? Or do we go farther afield and do a bit of touring? When I mentioned friends I just remembered something – friends feature very highly in a migrant’s life. They ARE the family we create for ourselves in the land of the unknown. They come in all colours and shapes, all peculiarities and tastes. But one thing for sure is they will have your back if in need. Sometimes comparing them to family could be misleading – because for some, family may not be the people who will watch your back but rather from whom you need to be watched!(smiley here and I'm not talking about my dear family)

So for any would be migrants out there—remember—always make and cultivate friends –wherever you go. The best way to do that is to be a good friend yourself. Be there for people—some may use you but over time you will be able to sort the wheat from the chaff so don’t worry. Be genuine, be yourself and give to others how much you can comfortably give. Love in good measure and listen to what they say. Listening is too underrated – it’s a valuable life skill which is never taught. So teach yourself some of that—how to listen with your heart and how to be empathetic.

I’ve been blessed – for the many friends that the good Lord has given me. Just as essential a suitcase is for The Journey, is the friend for life’s pit stops!