So long, Columbus!
Monday, July 14th, 2008It was exactly 10 years ago that I moved to Columbus, Ohio. It is the only place Pree and I have known in the US …in fact it is the longest stretch of time Pree has been in any single place. Over the years Columbus became home …our wonderful experiences at Ohio State, the times Pree and I spent together, the home, the animals and the kids …the people we met over the years, the friends we made, the coworkers …the hikes, the walks with the dogs, the library next door ….
Over the years people moved in and out of Columbus while we stayed on. We felt wonderfully well settled and able to handle the changes brought on by our growing family …so much so that we quietly hoped that life would bring us some new challenges and/or experiences of a new place ….
Ahh….be careful what you wish for!
I guess I will remember that day for the rest of my life. 32 weeks pregnant. On my way to an office party. Quick checkup at my doc. She says hello. I smile back. “Why”, she says “something wrong?”.
“Why”, I say “do I look like something is wrong?”.
“As a matter of fact, you do.”
“Yup, it has been exhausting. Had no idea Braxton Hicks can be so tiring. And of course, with the second one you know how it feels like the child is ready to pop out any time!” (I am still trying to be funny here;))
My doc is buying none of that. She knows me way too well. She is checking me before I know it ….giving me her verdict…
“You need to go home RIGHT NOW and … ”
That is where my memory starts to fail me. I was in a state of shock perhaps. I was so sure my doctor was overreacting…. Bed rest? No way! For 8 weeks?? Hah, you must be kidding me …
She left me for a few minutes … I caught bits and pieces of her hallway conversation with a nurse…. shots to stop my contractions, home monitoring, short term disability …..
Reality was starting to hit home ….
Looking back it seems like that was the day that changed a number of things in our lives. No way! Cannot do bedrest with a crazy toddler and a globe trotting husband! My mom rushed to the US to help us …Pree decided to interview … and lands a job before we even realize it.
Everything has been a haze since that day. I never ever imagined I’d quit my job and move as quickly as we did. There really wasn’t enough time to have a “going away lunch” with friends or talk “career plans” with colleagues. Off I went to India with the kids and let Pree handle the mechanics of moving (he took with him more kids than i did - 2 dogs and a cat) while we split our workload ;) …
I had never imagined I would wake up one morning and quit my job (to be a SAHM). I had never imagined I would stay away from Pree for months together….but life and kids teach you to be practical …they teach you to prioritize. We make certain decisions and hope they are the best ones - for the kids, the animals and all ….
We did just that and here I am 3 months later. We have finally relocated (yes, Pree lied ;)) and it is time to resume my life and my blog. Columbus seems so close yet so far … just think of it like India…it gave me years of joy, personal growth, prosperity, good friends and family …all the things that will never go away. I am as excited about Seattle as I was abut Columbus a decade ago, ready to explore, discover and live our lives to the fullest!
