Moving Friday Five

We are right in the middle of a move--only twenty minutes away, but we're still a mix of busy, excited, nervous and surprisingly full of grief about what we're leaving, for me at least. So this week's Friday Five asks about your experience of the marvels and madness of moving...

1. How many times have you moved? When was the last time?

Let’s see – from birth to 18 I never moved. Not once. My parents farm less than a mile from the farm where my great-grandfather was born. I’ve always thought that was cool. But since 18, I’ve moved quite a lot – eleven times, which doesn’t count several “non-permanent” moves to summer camp, my CPE site, etc. The last time was January, when we moved from Minnesota to our present home in Ames, IA.

2. What do you love and hate about moving?

I don’t love anything about moving – it’s a big pain in the tuchus, if you ask me. I hate everything in boxes, how something essential always goes missing, and the sheer annoyance of it. I wouldn’t be surprised if we stayed put here in Ames just to avoid moving again until it’s time for the next call.

3. Do you do it yourself or hire movers?

The policy in the ELCA has moved toward movers, and I’m pretty happy about that. Sure, there’s the hassle of the moving truck and strangers handling your stuff, but really, do you want to move that incredibly heavy oak entertainment center all by yourself? Really? Okay, great – can you come take mine next time, then?

4. Advice for surviving and thriving during a move?

LET THE MOVERS DO THE PACKING. We tried to save money by packing up non-essentials this last time: books, summer clothes, etc. The movers packed our boxes into their boxes and still charged us for it. They’re professionals, and they know what works – let them do it. Besides, you save yourself a lot of hassle that way!

5. Are you in the middle of any inner moves, if not outer ones?

Yes – several, in fact. Parent of one child to parent of two. Renter to homeowner. Caretaker chaplain to visionary campus ministry leader. Minnesotan to Iowegian. You name it, it seems to be changing for me lately!

Bonus: Share a piece of music/poetry/film/book that expresses something about what moving means to you.

Well, there’s Under the Tuscan Sun, which is one of the most gorgeous movies I’ve ever seen, and it’s all about new starts, etc., but it doesn’t really say anything about what moving means to me. There’s a song by Storyhill that might hit it a little. I’ve always been a homebody – someone who needs to sink roots deep to be truly nourished, and when I’m away from those rooted places for too long I can tell that something’s not right. So when Storyhill sings Absaroka Air I can understand what they’re saying – there’s both the loss of home and the hope you can find it again. Hope you enjoy it.