Stepping Forward

When I think about where I'd like to see my life go, I'd say that I would like to end up in Arizona.  I'd like to live close enough to family to be able to visit at times other than a holiday.  I started to realize that I'm wanting to go back to where i'm comfortable.  I want my kids to grow up the way I grew up because that's what i'm used to. I want to be around extended family because that's how I grew up.  I'm starting to realize something.  Different is okay.  And different is inevitable because things are changing whether I like it or not. One thing that is changing is my family.  I have a husband and a daughter now.  They are my immediate family.  What used to be my immediate family is now my extended family.  Growing up, my immediate family had customs and traditions.  Some of these came from my parents' families but some were unique to us.  And those honestly were some of my favorite.  My husband and I and our children will have our own unique experiences, traditions and customs that might be similar to the way we grew up or they might be different.  That's ok.  One of my favorite quotes is "The past is to be learned from, not lived in." (Jeffrey R. Holland)  As things change it's understandable to be a little shook up when you don't know what's ahead.  But in the end you just need to step forward and take what life gives you. There will be chances to relive my childhood with my children and there will be many new things to experience together.  It probably won't go according to plan but it will be perfect for us.