The Fall and Rise of Perspective

Yesterday was a day that I won't soon forget. I took an unexpected tumble, and let me tell you, falling is an experience I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy, even if you come away unscathed physically. The sense of helplessness, that momentary loss of control, can be incredibly humbling. It was as if life itself decided to remind me that I was getting ahead of myself, rushing to do too much, and perhaps, I needed to slow down a bit. It's funny how a simple fall can serve as a poignant wake-up call.

On top of that, I just regained my voice after an illness that kept me muted for weeks. But that's not all; I've recently uprooted myself from the bustling streets of St. Louis to the quieter life in St. Charles. Anyone who has moved before knows the sheer chaos and exhaustion it entails. We're not just moving, though. We're also preparing our old house for sale, which involves a significant amount of fixing up and cleaning. And, of course, this is when I had to catch pneumonia. I say this with a bit of irony, knowing that no one ever wishes for an illness, and the timing couldn't have been worse. The cherry on top is that some of appointments with the VA were I had to reschedule. I had to wait 6 months for those VA appointments. Making this week feel like a test of my patience.

Yet, amidst all these challenges, that fall, as unpleasant as it was, became a stark reminder to slow down and take stock of my life. It served as a humbling moment, a reminder that I'm not some invincible force, but rather just another individual trying to navigate the ups and downs of life.

As we continue the arduous task of moving our belongings out of the house I've called home since 2006, I'm flooded with memories. This was the place I purchased when I was single, a year out of college, and had landed my first engineering job. The decision to buy this house was significant back then, and the memories created here are precious. However, as I navigate the endless stairs, constantly up and down, I'm also reminded why it's time for a change. Moving to a ranch in St. Charles was the right call – it's time to simplify and let go of this old house, a chapter of my life that's reached its end.

I can't help but feel a twinge of nostalgia as I look around my soon-to-be former home. The oak hardwood floors and those stunning stained-glass windows were the initial draw for me, and I still find them utterly beautiful. I can only hope that the next person who calls this place home will be as fortunate as I have been in this house. It's time to bid adieu to the past, embrace the new, and see where life takes me next.