As most of you know I moved in with my father and my step-mom right after I turned 17 (why is a long story and a blog isn't the place to tell it). It was probably the single most significant moment of my life, that move. I was on a field trip with yearbook when I found out I was allowed to move and came back with a suitcase packed for six days in hand. My mom and stepdad wouldn't let me get any of my stuff from her house, so I lived out of that suitcase for close to two months. My stepmom took me shopping for clothing, underwear, etc so I could live that summer in something besides what I'd packed back in late May. There is this roller-coaster at Kings Dominion (shout out, VA) that is entirely inside and completely in the dark. I love roller-coasters but I hate this one, because I can't see what is coming next, there isn't a way to brace my head and neck for the next loop or sharp curve. It is so painful when there is no way to prepare for what's next.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is my family in metaphor. I got a phone call Saturday from my step-mom, telling me goodbye. She's leaving my dad after 15 years or so, moving back to Massachusetts in two weeks time. She's been a big part of home for 10 years. How weird is that? A part of my home calls to say goodbye, to not be seen again. We aren't close enough that we'd ever visit each other but she was there for the most seminal moments in my life. God, she got me ready for prom (and got me drunk while doing it...well done), came to both of my graduations, knows all my friends, served as a go-between for a 18 year old girl and her father (very necessary), is responsible for my love of both J.Crew clothing and Victoria's Secret underwear (too much info? Too bad) as well as champagne. For most of the time we knew each other, we got along fabulously. Almost two years ago my dad called me to say that they were splitting up (Read the original post here. It's much better written than this one), but it was my understanding that since then there had been drastic improvements; that they were working it out. Guess not. I think this is why I've historically been so cynical of relationships. Gotta keep your mitts up, kid. I tried this past year to put my guard down, and I'm thankful I did it, if only to learn what it's like. I would love to walk through life unarmed. Well, at least life is never boring. I'll take just about anything over boredom.
