Monday, January 5, 2015

Dear California...

California Coastline at Laguna Beach by kancp26

As my husband and I prepare to leave Southern California in just 2 days, only 1 day past the 6 month mark of becoming residents here, so much is going through my mind. 

SoCal has always been a part of our lives.  We vacationed here for years and eventually bought a second home in Palm Springs, CA.  Then we moved here, knowing it would be a stop along the way to somewhere else- but not realizing the stop was only going to be short one.

So as we move on, I will bid California farewell with this:

Dear California,
You are beautiful.  It is true.  Your beauty is varied and seemingly endless. 
You are warm and bright.  Your skies are bluer than I could have ever imagined.  
There is just so much to do here.  I now understand why Mark Twain said he wondered how anyone in California could ever die because everyone is so healthy here.
Your attitude is laid back and your people are more excited to greet the weekend or a holiday than anyone else I have ever met.  I am still so surprised to be told  'Happy Weekend' starting on a Thursday!

However, my dear California, I have also learned some truths about you.  You are crowded beyond belief.  Your traffic and costs are out of this world.  Its not fun to try to get to do all the wonderful stuff you have to offer when it's nearly impossible to get to those activities.  It feels like there ought to be another form of currency here so normal people can do such exotic things as buy a house or retire.  And California, your limits on freedom are certainly not for me.  It seems that your people are fine and good with tiny loud places to live and paychecks spread ultra thin while more and more rules drop into their lives via the government.
Oh California, how I wish I could keep your warm sun and live at the beach one day.  How I know that this experience of 6 short months will forever change how I look at life.  I will remember and relish the feeling of knowing that I can make it in a new home.   I will appreciate the fact that there is no perfect place and that everyone must find what works for them.  California, you didn't work for us.  We will visit you and we won't wonder 'what if'.  We are moving on.

9 comments:

  1. I'm out of the loop...good luck moving!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love the way you wrote this! Good luck in your move! I'm getting settled in my new spot but still have a few boxes to unpack yet! Where are you going? I missed it somewhere I guess. Sorry :-( Happy New Year.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Isn't it relieving to love something on some levels and know it's not for you? AND be okay with it? There are many things we love that aren't really for us. Or they change, or we change, and they become less than a good fit. So long as we remain willing to change, we can mold life to the way we want it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. California is quite the place, though not for everyone.
    Glad you all are ok with it not being for you. Good luck in your move.
    Hope you all have a great 2015!
    (I'll have to make it back to catch up on your blog, it's been awhile. But I hope you both are doing well and that you had a great Christmas.)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am thrilled for you. You didn't fit the profile! Best of luck to both of you.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Best of luck on your move! Loved the way you said goodbye :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm in definite agreement with you. For me it's a real love/hate thing. Get rid of much of the government, economy, and people and this would practically be like a paradise. However the paradox is that it's the paradisiacal nature of the place that has given all these negative aspects. I guess you can't live in an earthly paradise without paying a price.

    Arlee Bird
    A to Z Challenge Co-host
    Tossing It Out

    ReplyDelete
  8. Jasmine: Where are you? We miss you. Hope all is well at the new home.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I feel very thankful that I could read that awesome article. Thanks for sharing. Keep posting.
    We also provide yahoo and hotline customer care services in USA & Canada. Feel free to contact us:
    Yahoo Helpline Support

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...