Road, Review, Renew
August 17th, 2010 § 6 Comments
As obvious as it may be to say, I have made it to Texas! I feel that this statement warrants an exclamation point because, well, it’s kind of a big deal, no? I mean 1,457 miles is no short jaunt of a move. The latter part of the drive post-Nashville was a long one. This was something I didn’t figure out until I started plugging in addresses to Google Maps. As I looked at the clock with regret Tuesday morning at 11 a.m., I told Alex we had about 12 hours of road between us and where we’d lay our heads to rest that night.
We set out to cover the rest of Tennessee, all of Arkansas and finally cross into Texas. After four veggie subs, an entire state without coffee, some really scary bathrooms and a gorgeous sunset, we got to Ft. Worth and crashed around 1 a.m. The next morning, we made the most of a hotel breakfast and hit the road. We rolled into my parents’ place in the early afternoon and unpacked my car. My Mum kept insisting I took a ‘before’ picture of my wreckage but really, I think I’m doing you all a favor by sparing you of just how much crap I hauled down here with me.
What I do have photos of, however, are some of the highlights throughout the rest of the trip. Without further ado…
After a day of exploring my new digs and nearly melting approximately nine times, we took the afternoon Friday to go see Eat Pray Love. Now, I know there are critics out there – both those who make a living as one and those who simply have an opinion. Mine is pretty simple: I loved it. I read the book a few years ago right as it began to get popular and I loved it, too. Many of the details had faded in my memory and that was OK with me. I knew the premise. I’m sure many women went out and read the book in the weeks leading up to the movie’s release and were disappointed to see the plot line change.
People, c’mon. How many books stay true to their 120 minutes on film? It’s very rare and nearly impossible for a story to translate into a movie. I mean, Elizabeth Gilbert’s story would have taken hours to portray accurately. Perhaps it’s because I am in the midst of such a transition in my life, but I really got a lot out of it. I choked back tears of understanding, gratitude and cope throughout a great deal of the film. There was a lot of talk about pushing yourself outside your comfort zone, taking risks and chances and figuring things out for and about yourself. There was also a delicious pizza and some crave-worthy fries.
As I sat in the chilly theater, I pulled my sweater around me in a pseudo hug, wiping away single warm tears past my curls. I told myself it was OK to be moved but that it wasn’t necessary to have a complete breakdown in the dark. I felt inspired and compelled and as cliché and trite as it may seem, I felt a bit consoled. Sure, Elizabeth Gilbert’s story is rare and one in a million. I don’t have any immediate plans to put my life on hold for a year and travel the world (although if anyone would care to sponsor that, I wouldn’t object) but I do have plans to do something great with my life. As scary as it is, I’m looking at this move and decision to relocate half way across the country as a gift to myself. It’s a delicate gift. One that must be opened slowly. There’s no need to rush through it – though I desperately want nothing other than that. I’m looking at this time to focus solely on myself and discover what it is I really want. I’ve never had the opportunity to be quite as unattached from responsibility and social commitments so I’ve decided now is as good a time as any.
Those tears were not the last. I woke up Saturday morning and made a beeline to the freezer where two ice packs awaited their fate atop my eyes to bring down the swelling. They stung my cheeks again as I hugged Alex goodbye for the fifth time at the airport and drove away knowing my life was about to take a major turn and that I was without a friend beside me every day for the first time in years.
Thankfully, I have a wonderful support system right under my roof, at the touch of a button on my phone and a click away on the Internet. There are so many people who have helped me get to where I am today; standing at the brink of this road where so many opportunities and adventures await. There is however, only one person who could have helped me make the actual trip and transition in such a smooth and calm way.
I have talked about how wonderful of a friend this woman is to me, but spending eight days non-stop with her has truly solidified it in my heart. It’s amazing what I have learned and gained from this blogging community – but I count my blends (blogger friend = blend) as the biggest blessing of all. At the end of the day, it can be hard to keep up with everything and everyone but I believe no matter how often you press publish, how many tweets you send, how many comments you receive, once you’re in this community, you’re in and a part of something so life-changing and wonderful you can never imagine your life without it.
Did you see Eat Pray Love? What did you think of it?
Have you been part of something bigger that changed your life? How?
Welcome to Texas!
Glad the rest of your journey went well! My only problem with EPL was that I felt Gilbert took her year-long journey just to write the book. But – who’s to say I wouldn’t do the same?
Ok now I want to see the movie TONIGHT! I read the book in 2007 and enjoyed most of it, some parts were hard for me to get through though, but others I loved.
Love, love, love your last paragraph! I don’t think anyone really understands the community and friendships unless they are a part of it.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Caitlin, Caitlin. Caitlin said: Road, Review, Renew: http://bit.ly/caHraJ [...]
I absolutely LOVE that book, and I have yet to see the movie.
so, agree with last paragraph.
Going to fitbloggin next year?
Oh, wait. You forgot something. You have to come back AND GET ME!
I’m proud of you Caitlin. You did such a brave thing that not many people would do. And what is extremely brave is that you see it as a scary and delicate thing, not just “I’M MOVING ACROSS THE COUNTRY FOR THE HECK OF IT! WOOO!”. You recognize the responsibility that you have undertaken, and the question marks your face.
You are such a mature, wise, and insightful friend. I know that you have great things awaiting you!
Love you!
[...] Just a few months ago she took the adventure with me half way across the US. [...]