I am seeing Seattle's cherry trees bloom for the last time, and they will never again be the same.

[AlienGirl]

In February, 1995, when the cherry trees were blooming, I walked under them every day on my way to a friend's house in West Seattle, and every day I thought, "These trees will never again look the same to me." I had just found out I was pregnant the week of my birthday (Feb. 14), and I would be somebody's mother in the fall. The cherry blossoms of Seattle's spring would be forever changed; the eyes I saw them through, ever after, would be a mother's eyes.

Now, eleven years later, I am seeing the cherries bloom in Seattle for what will probably be the last time. Because of the severity of this past winter, and a number of personal factors, I'm packing up to move to Florida. I rarely have much money, so I doubt very much that I will be taking any vacations back to the part of the country that's been home for so long. Seattle has changed, anyway; too many condos, rent's too high, it's really not "my" Seattle anymore. But still, as I walk under the cherry blossoms, I know that, again, I will never see them through the same eyes. Probably never see them again, at all.

I look forward to the new life that awaits me in Florida, but I have to grieve a bit for the one I'm leaving behind.

Tucker

[Sanity Claws]

1. Good luck to you and your child

I plan to move this year too. I cannot tolerate the winter and its lack of sun. I haven't decided where I'm going but I think there must be many better places for my mental health.

[SeattleGirl]

2. I'm so sorry to hear you're leaving, AG

I understand your reasons for leaving, but I will miss seeing you the next time we have a Seattle DU meet-up. I wish you all the best.

SG

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. My dear AlienGirl.......

Wow, that is some beautiful and mournful prose you have there........

I really feel your sorrow....

And of course you're grieving!

You've invested yourself there.....

You cannot leave without abandoning a bit of yourself, and your child too.......

Thank you for this beautiful prose!

:hug:

[ornotna]

4. Where in Florida

are you moving to?

[zingaro]

5. Press a few. Or dry the petals. Take them with you.

Grieve a bit and then move along with the good bits stored away the pockets of your heart for safekeeping.

[Suich]

6. Sorry to see you leave, AG.

I've been in the same house in Wallingford for 40+ years and I guess I've just gotten to all the changes. Cherry blossoms are my spring favorite!

Good luck in Florida!

Susan

[LynzM]

7. I can understand the feeling, AG

I had some of the same thoughts, when I was pregnant...

Best of luck to you with your move. I hope that it turns out to be a very positive experience for you. :hug:

[DarkmoonIkonoklast]

8. There will be many candles lit for you all...

   
You will be greatly missed...
   
Your loss from our world, from the EverGreen-and-Blue, from the land of Joe Hill, from the Land of the Wobblies, will be mourned...
   
Please keep writing your beautiful, inciteful prose
   
Please continue to contribute to D.U... we need your passion and your vision...
   
Bright Blessings, love, peace, joy and health to you, to your beautiful boys, and to your gentle giant!
   
"May thy wings ne'er melt!"

[Cannikin]

9. Now you can walk through the orange groves!

[JitterbugPerfume]

10. you will be ok Tucker

because you are a survivor.You have been through many trials and tribulations since you came to DU , and one thing I know --you are smart and brave


you will be ok

[wildhorses]

11. tucker--i dedicate this to you--hope you enjoy and good luck!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3kJ9XPiq2A