Nevada - my new home

I start this blog with an apology for not writing anything in so long. But I did it - I moved to Nevada, and have settled about 8 minutes from my son and his family. It has been a crazy seven months but I am totally sure I was meant to move.

My husband, bless him, succumbed to the awful dementia and passed away in September. An though I know grief counselors will tell you not to make major decisions for a year, I know my decision to move was right for me. My husband had been, for all intents and purposes, gone to me for a good while before he died, so I had already gone through a certain level of grief, of loss. And it just added fuel to my decision to move.

All that said, I am truely loving Nevada. Yes, it snows here and of course I am not used to driving in snow. However, it doesn't last long, and I am conveniently located to several walkable restaurants, so I am good. I can see both the Virginia and the Sierra mountain ranges from my patio, and I can actually enjoy the patio without fighting mosquitos. And I am roughly 20 minutes from beautiful Lake Tahoe, which gives me my beach fix!

I was fortunate to find a good church pretty quickly, and through church, I have gotten involved in a widow's group and made some friends there. I have also found musicians in the area who have been so kind in helping me break into the music scene here.

I actually own snow pants (didn't know what they were until i moved here), snow boots, and hiking boots (yes, I am doing some hiking with my son and family). I have also learned that, unlike Louisiana, it can get chilly here at night, even in summer. So I carry a light jacket everywhere.

Ladies, I can honestly say this move hasn't been easy but it's been awesome. And my one piece of advice from this "adventure" would be to not let your fears and "what-if's" stop you from living your life. I put lots of prayer into this move and I always encourage you to pray about everything. But then let God move. I have had so many people say to me "You are so brave to just pick up stakes and move across the country". But it wasn't bravery. It was trust in God and knowing that I had to be where my family was.

I feel now as though I have a brand new outlook on life. My stress level is nil, I am in goodphysical shape for my age, and I am doing everything I can to make sure I stay in good shape. And I see my grandson at least every other day. What could be better at this stage of my life?

Louisiana will always hold a special place in my heart. It's where I lived all my life. But Nevada has embraced me and welcomed me, and it is my new home.

So, in conclusion, if you are facing tough decisions - and all of us are, or will be- pray first and ask God to give you the strength you need to jump out there and do what you need to do - for YOU.