It has now been a year and a half that I have been living/working in Nashville and being able to spend very little time back home in SC, where most of my family is. A few days a month, but not as much as was planned/expected with this position. The biggest challenge is finding folks that can and want to do what we need them to. Until then, I have to fill in the blanks.
Living alone, with very little social interaction outside of work, has changed me.
On the positive side, I am eating smarter and less. I’ve all but given up alcohol, but I don’t know why. The result is that I’ve lost weight and I am now at 6 ft -3, I’m just below 200 lbs for the first time in as long as I can remember, maybe since college? (It was probable around 15 years ago that I was pushing 265, so it has been a gradual loss) The loss of the weight is much easier on my arthritic ankles and I’m glad I saved most of the clothes that I couldn’t fit in years ago.
Of course, I am sure that the high stress and long hours at work has nothing to do with it . . . hopefully.
I have a workout routine that I complete in my apartment each evening, using some free weights and that has helped my strength and flexibility.
My iPad has become my best friend and I cannot imagine this lifestyle without it. News, emails, reading articles for business, music, blogs, informational videos and rarely, Direct TV.
I’ve become selfish as I have no one here to be considerate of and it is difficult to turn that off when I do go home.
I miss my wife, children, grandchildren, dog (soon to have two added) and the connections I had in SC. I regret that I am not present to be able to help around the house and also to help with extended family matters.
I miss being able to drive 5 minutes to go for a walk on the beach as the sun rose and just relax a bit.
I’ve become a victim of routine. Get up, eat, go to work, eat, Facetime with the grandkids, talk to Alicia on the phone, read, and go to bed. Cleaning the apartment and doing laundry on the weekends, after putting a day in at the office, and occasional blogging, which I am hoping to get back to on a regular schedule.
Evaluating options, some very interesting and others mundane.
So, that’s my story.
Happy Mother’s Day to the moms out there and if your mom is alive, regardless of the relationship status, love and hug on her because one day you will not be able to and you will miss her. Trust me.