Life is often such a bag of mixed blessings! In September, I was mom to a busy entitled 12th grade genius otherwise known as Eddie, our one and only miracle child. Days were filled with teaching classes, school curriculum meetings, packing funky ties for an FBLA trip on Tuesday, unpacking on Friday, and repacking spirit t’s for a state student council trip on Saturday. Nights were crammed with band concerts, drama club productions, and endless meetings..classes on financial aid… FAFSA… ACT and SAT. It was a whole new language.The only class not offered was the one I needed the most, “How to Survive Amidst Sheer Overwhelment.” But thanks to wonderful friends all in the same boat, and a husband rivaling a Marvel super hero, survive I did. I even forced myself to enjoy those last bittersweet, precious, moments of ”school” which had been our lives for the last 13 years.Sometimes it’s ok to hold on tight just a little bit longer. Hard work and dedication payed off, by December, our Eddie was accepted into the University of Pennsylvania! Overwhelment gave way to sheer joy, which led to tears. Tears for what was and what was yet to come. Small town, public schooled, Wyoming kid makes the Ivy League. Did I mention panic? For every time I said, “I can’t believe it!”, my husband said, “I knew it!”

But… we all know what happens when life is going good… in April my mom suffered a heart attack followed by three mini strokes. No longer able to drive, she needed care. With Eddie heading to Philadelphia and mom an hour away in NJ, suddenly, all roads were leading to the east coast for my family. Good-bye my peaceful, cherished mountain home of 28 years, adios to my classes I so loved, farewell faithful friends…hello sunset walks on the beach, bubble tea in Chinatown and Ivy League football games. A new chapter is about to unfold.

Together, we hope to share our ups and downs from settling into a new home as empty nesters, tapping into the Ivy League parent scene, wandering the ethereal seaside, and exploring multicultural Philly. Come and join us on this whirlwind adventure.

How Blessed we’ll be by the Sand & the Sea.

Two by the bay,
~Cyndi and Burt