Month 6 in the Bay Area

View of the Bay Bridge

It has been six months since Lady and I arrived in the Bay Area. Did time fly by? Maybe in the last couple of weeks, but no, it hasn't.

The physical move has been surprisingly smooth, as my car, furniture, clothes and boxes of my belongings arrived with little incident. I'm enjoying my job as Marketing Program Manager at SEPHORA, as I feel appreciated and valued by both leadership and team. I like the convenience of driving 5 minutes if I wanted to spend time with my nephews. I'm loving the constant sunny weather, compared to the gray skies and rain in the Puget Sound.

The view from my apartment patio in San Leandro

However, the emotional transition hasn't be as quick as I hoped. I miss my daily routine, my friends, catching the local news, the Seattle skyline. I don't even mind the Seattle traffic, compared to the Bay Area! But what I miss most though about living in the Bay Area is my mom.

My mom never lived in Seattle, but I have fond memories of her traveling up, staying with me, gabbing and eating our way around town. I also miss the convenience of driving three hours to Portland to visit with her. My mom now lives in her new home above, but I knew I could easily jump into my little Toyota Corolla and head south to feel her presence. It's not as spontaneous now that I live 640 miles away.

My brother Richard and his son Cyrus paying respects to my mom in Portland

I know once I get my social footing in the Bay Area, the depth of the emptiness may decrease. But I'll never stop thinking of my mom and the good times we had together; and the wonderful memories we would have made together in the Bay Area.

Love you, Mommy!