I was always a West Coast girl. Me, my brother and my mother on the California Coast. My first time out West.
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L is for...
L is for love. L is for learning. L is for leave-taking.
I am leaving Chicago. I knew this day would come. And once upon a time, a short four years ago, it seemed it couldn’t arrive quickly enough. But now, because of the love in my life, and the lessons I’ve learned here, I share this news with equal parts wistfulness and joy.
I’m heading back to the west coast – to Seattle, a city my husband and I considered moving to more than 10 years ago. Clearly, that wasn’t our time. But this time is.
My husband Lee, a former massage therapist and bodyworker, is embarking upon his first post-residency job post at the Rehabilitation Institute of Washington. And because of the love I have in my heart for my partner of 14 plus years, I am joining him there...eager and anxious to find what new lessons, new friendships, and new opportunities are waiting for me there too.
I knew my stay in Chicago was likely a short sojourn. What I didn’t anticipate is how coming home to the Midwest would shake me to my core. Would change me from the inside out. And teach me who I really am.
I got sober in Chicago. Found my birth parents. Built a business from the ground up, a second time. Become a dancer. Embraced my role as a bodysherpa. And stepped more fully into my position as a Weight Watchers leader.
I shaved my head. Altered my body. Learned to rock climb. I held my best friend’s hand as both of her parents transitioned from this earthly plane. And I got to know my niece, my nephew, and my step-sister, just a little bit better - all by being physically closer.
I became a homeowner. And now, likely a landlord.
I converted to Judaism. Because while raised as a Jew, I wasn’t born as one. And I wanted to make certain there was no question in MY mind.
I had the opportunity to operate offices in two cities at once. And I discovered the experience sounded more glamorous than it actually turned out to be. And so I learned to let go of California and to become a resident of the Windy City.
Some of my California clients visited and came to my table here. Others sent family members and friends to me. And many, many of you wrote to me to tell me how your life was unfolding. It is my sincere hope that you will continue to do that as I settle into my new home.
My friend and teacher, Rabbi Alan Lew would call this a leave-taking, an experience necessary for transformation. In his book, Be Still and Get Going: A Jewish Meditation Practice for Real Life, Rabbi Lew writes that in the Torah, each experience of transformation begins with a leave-taking. The language, in fact, is very specific to this. He writes:
"When we leave home, when we leave our habitual relationship to the world, we see things freshly, we become flush with our lives, we see reality and not the habitual idea of reality we have settled into at home. We see the thing itself and not the idea of the thing."
This is my hope, my prayer, and my wish – for myself, and for each of you. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Blessings,
P.S. On a practical note, my last day in the Chicago office will be July 29, 2011. I look forward to seeing you there.