Wednesday, April 22, 2015

The Times They Are A-Changing

 

I'm a really big planner. I thought I had my retirement plans pretty much set, and I certainly had no clue that only a year and a half into it those plans, and my life, would change so radically.

Apricot blossoms

 

First of all, I will not be planting a garden this year. I have raised much of my family's food for the last 40+ years and in spring, summer, and fall my life has revolved around planning crops, planting, harvesting, and preserving. I may grow a few things in pots, but it won't be in Minnesota.

 

 

 

 

Nanking cherry blossoms

 

Second, I thought that I would live out the rest of my life right here in Minnesota, in the same house I have lived in for the last 28 years, near my daughters and grandchildren, sister and brother-in-law, and dear friends.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And third, it was my dream to travel to places local and foreign, dreaming that had sustained me through all the ups and downs of years of a demanding career.

I was quite satisfied with this life, doing all these things, happily reading all the books I'd had to put off when I was teaching, babysitting grandchildren, traveling near home, taking one big trip a year.

 

What's that saying, life is what happens while you are busy making plans?

I never in my wildest dreams imagined that the young man I started my adult life with would return to finish my life with me. And of course, now I can't imagine anything that would make me happier!

We were partners, part of each others' lives for 7 or 8 years, built a house together in the Carolina mountains with our own four hands, lived a life few could imagine. But then he began to yearn for the Big City and a career other than goat milker and carpenter and I'm a country girl and couldn't imagine a life in the city. We parted ways, each going on to raise a family 1300 miles apart, losing track of each other completely. Then, thanks to the wonders of technology, social media, and his extreme persistence, he tracked me down, and the rest is, well, my own personal Last Tango in Halifax story.

So, I will be continuing to write my blog but soon most of my stories will be from the Low Country of South Carolina rather than the prairies of Minnesota, from a little house on an island with a view of a tidal flat and pluff mud outside my back porch, with two big dogs at my feet and my cat probably permanently hidden under a bed. (Rosie has never met a dog, much less two BIG ones. She will soon.)

 

I do hope y'all will come along!

 

19 comments:

  1. Now that is a happy ending!
    Congratulations. I had a teenie weenie suspicion that
    something was afoot - 6th Sense, maybe???

    I will miss the Minnesota views, but at least I know the
    Carolinas pretty well also. So it won't be a geographical
    shock for me.
    Now just a weenie question so as I can do some pin-pointing on my US
    big Atlas - close to what large city????

    Cheers and best wishes to you both.
    Colin

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  2. Wow, happy ending indeed. Congratulations Cynthia. I hope you love it on that island. I'm pretty sure your winters will be much nicer in South Carolina ;-)

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  3. How cool is that! Best wishes for the move and hooray for the excitement of a change in direction.

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  4. How exciting!!!! Looks like we're going to be almost neighbors. Looking forward to your Carolina blogging.

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  5. What an amazing story! I look forward to hearing about your new life. May it be as full of love and adventure as the old one.

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  6. I'm certainly coming along - what a wonderful love story! The wonders of modern technology... I for one can't wait to see the pluff mud, the dogs, the few things in pots and will there still be some goats in that love story? I hope you will both be very happy!
    Hope the move goes well
    Wren x

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  7. I'm so thrilled for you to have found a new love (or old love made new). Congratulations! I'm looking forward to sharing in your new adventure.

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  8. I am excited for you! I will miss your Minnesota musings but look forward to your Carolina ones...an island...that sounds way more fun than Minnesota especially in the winter! Old friends are the best friends:)

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  9. Congratulations on living your dream.

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  10. Terrific; such a happy future you have planned! I love the story; congratulations! Hope to hear more from you in the future. Love tat par of the country so I'll be glad to follow your adventure.

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  11. Congratulations indeed, a beautiful ending.

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  12. Congratulations Cynthia, definitely your own Last Tango in Halifax story xx

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  13. Hello Cynthia,

    What joy!

    This is a remarkable story of love lost and found and what wonderful reading it makes. Life is perfect in the twists and turns that it offers to us. One long adventure with the plot lost!

    Wishing you both much joy and happiness in your new life together!

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  14. What a lovely story, Cynthia! My DH and I went to the same elementary school and I thought he was pretty special when I was in Grade 6 and he in Grade 8...but he didn't know I existed. Then 40 years later, we found each other via social media and this time he did notice me! Lol. Congratulations to you both and I wish you every happiness xx

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  15. Oh Cynthia, your post reads like a novel, what a lovely story. You have changing times for sure. I am so happy for you and wish you a very nice life with your lost lover. I certainly will keep following you in your next life.

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  16. How wonderful,so happy for you.
    I was reading wondering 'what', what has happened..
    Love to come along on your journey of life.

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  17. This is such an amazing and wonderful story! I wish you both the best. I am so happy for you.

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  18. Cynthia, I am so happy for you. I can't wait to read more of your new life. I love how life throws a wrench into our plans and usually for the better.

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  19. Dear sweet Cynthia, I feel like crying. I am so happy for you. Please do keep blogging. I can hardly wait to hear about your new life. We will be neighbors, practically. :) I love those two pictures. You were adorable in your little country dress and you still are adorable. Wishing you the best!

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