The Distance Between

Moving… I still till this day, despise the word.  I spent the majority of my life moving from one state to another. I attended a variety of elementary, middle, and high schools. My father was the Vice President of Sizzler Steakhouse, and his job required us to move frequently. Moving meant traveling from one side of the United States to the complete opposite side. Moving meant packing, making new friends, and losing old friends. In addition, my father spent long work hours away from home for meetings which required traveling. This led to my mother becoming an “at home mom,” she stayed home to take care of my brother and I. My father was born in Michigan, and my mother was born in Ohio. They eventually met each other in Ohio, while working at a Sizzler Steakhouse. After they got married, they moved a few more times. Eventually, I was born in Texas, and my brother was born in Florida. Since my father was always working, my mother often drove us to Ohio to visit her side of the family. My grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins all reside there. My father isn’t as close to his family as my mother, so I rarely got to visit his side of the family.

It was a big adjustment for me, trying to adapt with living so far away from my family. The distance between each other was typically at least 10 hours away. It didn’t take me long to realize how significant a family truly is. The moments that we do spend together, I will always forever cherish. A family bond is something that I believe people take for granted. Individuals, who live close to their family, typically don’t realize the disadvantages of family members residing in a different state. Through the years and distance, I have still managed to develop a strong bond with my northern family. It’s very disappointing, because I don’t get to visit them as often as I would like too. Between work, school, and limited vacation time, it makes it difficult to visit. I am fortunate to see them once a year though, usually around Thanksgiving.

My family and I eventually ended up moving to Georgia. Residing in Georgia is the longest time I have ever lived in a state. My parents eventually divorced, and Georgia was officially my new home state. My mother obtained custody of my brother and I, and I lived with her until I graduated. It didn’t take long after I graduated that; my mother decided that she wanted to move back north. She wanted to be around my grandparents. They weren’t getting any younger, and my mother was concerned about their health. Another advantage for my mother is that, she would be around her three sisters and one brother.  So here I am, in Georgia, with my mother and the rest of my family in Ohio. My brother does live with me, and my father isn’t too far away either.  I miss my mother dearly, there’s nothing like a mother and daughter relationship. It’s a bond that can never be broken or understood.  Although the distance keeps us separated, I fill my mother in on the details of my life, every moment I can. I wait for the day for her to return to Georgia, but I understand her reasoning for living in Ohio.

On a positive note, although my biological family is miles away, I have another family. I have developed this family over several years. This family consists of great friends. My close friends each have their own unique personality, and I am so proud to call them my friends. My friends support and love me unconditionally, which is obviously one of the reasons why I consider them a part of my family. Although I will always miss my family, these friends make the burden a little easier.