21 boxes and counting...

Here it is - my life packed up in the 21 boxes you see in this picture.  I didn't realize how much "stuff" I had until I started packing...nor did I realize how hard it would be for me to part with my material possessions when it came down to keeping and only packing the essentials.  What a lesson in letting go this has been for me!  I have the feeling, though, that these 21 boxes still contain more than just the essentials and the purging process will continue as I start to unpack.  Oh, the fun that lies ahead.

Looking at these boxes has made me wonder, is this what my life comes down to, to these 21 boxes?  No, it can't be.  My life is definitely richer because of the friends and communities around me.  You can't box this type of stuff up, and there is always room for more!  I'm especially more aware of this now with the recent good-byes and send-offs by so many friends in Columbus.  My heart is warmed by the love, excitement, and encouragement that all of my C-bus friends have shown me.  This Thanksgiving is even more meaningful as I remember and give thanks for my friends and family.  I am blessed.

a special day

My friends threw me a going away party yesterday, including visits to some of my favorite haunts in Columbus - Northstar, Park of Roses, Hoover Dam, Haiku, and Jeni's.  Two of my friends were my guides through the whole day, giving me hints that would lead me to the next destination.  With each destination, more friends would join us and we ended the evening with dinner at Haiku and dessert at Jeni's.  I'm so touched to have such wonderful friends who would take the time to plan and help make this such a special day for me.  Thank you my friends!

my guides

Park of Roses

dinner at Haiku

Oh, and by the way, the weather was beautiful, with a high of 73 degrees in November!

"the road less traveled"

As I've watched many of my friends finally "start" their careers with the completion of residency, I've often wondered about the path I've chosen to take.  Compared to my colleagues, it feels like I'm taking the road less traveled, and I've experienced many mixed emotions ranging from excitement to loneliness to curiosity during this time.  But as I continue to prepare for this trip, I've realized that there are others who have also traveled down this road before me and, though this road may be less traveled, it is not un-traveled.  I've even met some of these travelers and it has been so encouraging to hear their stories!

So, please, come and join me on this journey...and I hope that we will both find, in the end, that it will have made all the difference.