Comments on Bliss in Bloom: The Sound of Settling

Hey I feel you girl. I live in Colorado and my mom...

2008-07-29T17:16:00.000-05:00

Hey I feel you girl. I live in Colorado and my mom's side of the family is from Oklahoma. Despite the tourist-based hellish economy around here, I totally get what you mean about the mountains feeding your spirit. Humdity and ticks do not feed your spirit, they eat away at it. Thankfully, you are a strong single mama who won't be broken, and who is doing the right thing. I'll send Rocky Mountain vibes your way!

Well, like it says in your sidebar over there, "Bl...

2008-07-28T19:37:00.000-05:00

Well, like it says in your sidebar over there, "Bloom where you're planted," and I can see you doing so, but I do feel sad for you, Piper. I've been there on some level and learned a life lesson about appreciating the place you are in, wherever it is. That doesn't make it easy to swallow, though. I went back in your blog to see where this change of plans occurred, but I missed it--can you steer me to it?

so many people want what you want. you're not such...

2008-07-28T13:59:00.000-05:00

so many people want what you want. you're not such an outsider. i know that it can feel that way though. it's like being caught on a one-way street, and you're the only car facing the wrong way -- only the wrong way is your right way. i totally know. my husband and i are going through that right now. but here we sit -- stuck in suburbia, pounding out our lives at a ridiculous pace...and we've got no way to slow it down.
i so cannot wait to see that movie. i've been waiting since it premiered at the indie theater here. i tried to talk my husband into renting it, but we opted for lars and the real girl instead. i grew up watching my mom go through withdrawal from the mountains...it's a tough thing.
just remember that now is not forever, and forever is a long time. you'll make it back. you will because you want to.

I understand.

2008-07-28T11:32:00.000-05:00

I understand.

I totally get it...but you're right...not many peo...

2008-07-26T14:45:00.000-05:00

I totally get it...but you're right...not many people do. I feel closest to my creator and most like my true self when I'm in the mountains. Big cities leave me feeling empty and the suburbs come with such competition. I'm sorry you're stuck in a place that doesn't feel like home. I've been "there" and know it's hard to make peace with the situation. Just stay true to who you are and look forward to days ahead when you can be in your happy place again.

Piper, do me a favor?Read "Women Who Run With the ...

2008-07-26T00:24:00.000-05:00

Piper, do me a favor?
Read "Women Who Run With the Wolves" by Clarissa Pinkola Estes, PhD. If you don't read that one, read one about her love of nature.

You have a wild spirit that cannot be tamed, and that is good. Never, ever be ashamed of that. I understand your desire to go back home....even though it's not what people consider your home. It's home in your heart.

Living in the burbs and doing the corporate thing doesn't take away your wild spirit. Like BD says, it's a step on the journey.

Much love to you.

I really want to get back to Tennessee... Florida ...

2008-07-25T20:26:00.000-05:00

I really want to get back to Tennessee... Florida is way too flat. I would go back now, but can't. One kid has to establish residency to keep her scholarship, the other has issues and we don't want to start over with another doctor, and Hubs career has opportunities in only certain places. I do understand how you feel.

I'm feeling for you, chicka. This post is your blo...

2008-07-25T18:19:00.000-05:00

I'm feeling for you, chicka. This post is your blog title for sure, "Bloom Where You Are Planted".

I lived in a small town in CO for years and hated every minute of it. My heart called me back to home in the Pacific NW. I got here, but I am stronger coming back with a resolve and a new appreciation for my 'home'. It may be of no consolation but take it a month, a week, a day at a time..pretty soon you'll be in your mountains. :)

Here is to better soil down the road but blooming regardless where you are at. Big hugs!!

Piper, I never thought I would be a 36 year old mo...

2008-07-25T14:39:00.000-05:00

Piper, I never thought I would be a 36 year old mother of two little boys with a husband battling a life-threatening illness - constantly facing the threat of life without him - life as a single mom. I read you to inspire me to see that single motherhood is achievable. You prove it every day. You may not be where you thought you would be and where you long to be, but you inspire. I hope that comforts you.

I have a bit of a philosophy these days - finding good in each day. We don't know what tomorrow will bring us with respect to Brian's health. We don't know much about next year. We try to enjoy each day - live it fully and enjoy what we can now. Even thought that is a different definition than a year and a half ago. Today is a good day living in Central Illinois. A year and a half ago, we though we would be in Australia right now. No joke. But, we are happy and we are together.

KEEP BELIEVING

You will get there someday. Whatever "there" happe...

2008-07-24T15:30:00.000-05:00

You will get there someday. Whatever "there" happens to be when you are ready. We all hear you, we all get you, we're all rootin for you. Don't think of your situation as settling. Think of it as step one of many.

For me it was Seattle - I moved there from the Mid...

2008-07-24T13:10:00.000-05:00

For me it was Seattle - I moved there from the Midwest, I'd never seen the ocean, never skiied a real-live mountain, and never been to Seattle - and yet the minute I drove over Snohomish pass and into the greater Seattle area, I felt I was home. I stayed 5 years and then circumstances moved me back "home". While I am happy here, and have since married and had kids so I know I'm not going anywhere soon, I dream of Seattle and every time I visit, I tear up at my first sight of it. My heart lives there. The rest of me lives here with my family.

While others from my chilly climate dream of winters in Arizona, I know my retirement getaway will be a house on the Puget Sound - in February when it is miserable here and glorious gray, drizzly climate there, with the smell of salt water and mountains close enough to touch. Have to close my eyes a minute and enjoy this memory...

I have been out on maternity leave and then couldn...

2008-07-24T12:56:00.000-05:00

I have been out on maternity leave and then couldn't log on to catch up on blogs. I just spent the last couple of hours catching up from March til now and I'm still SO convinced you should've married my husband!

Hope the kayaking is going well, btw.

And my husband hates living in Arkansas. He wants to move back to Georgia. He's here because of his son, whose mother has custody.

If I weren't married to my husband, I'd introduce you to him. He LOVED Into the Wild, too.

One thing I wanted to comment on: I wish I had someone that understood me and was as wise as your grandpa is for you. No one knows me like that and I can't go to anyone in tears like you did and have them make me feel better.

Anyway, lots of little comments I wanted to make but they won't make sense all jumbled together! :)

I still think you're gorgeous, a fantastic writer (I'm terrible), and have two very cute little boys.
And although I love Emery, I think YOU are way cooler...and MUCH cooler than me. :)

Piper...I understand. I do. But I'm finding som...

2008-07-24T10:20:00.000-05:00

Piper...

I understand. I do. But I'm finding sometimes the Lord wants us to relinquish the "making it happen" part and let Him do the work for us. Maybe He just wants you to be surprised when it happens?

Hang in!

Aw... you're making me cry!I know this is temporar...

2008-07-24T07:32:00.000-05:00

Aw... you're making me cry!

I know this is temporary and you will get to live your life in the mountains one day.

So sorry your spirit is being squashed where you are...

sending hugs to you!

Chin up, Piper. It could be Ohio

2008-07-23T23:49:00.000-05:00

Chin up, Piper. It could be Ohio

You will find the happiness you so deserve! I get...

2008-07-23T21:40:00.000-05:00

You will find the happiness you so deserve! I get it about OK; I have a similar thing with Misery and I feel your pain.

I agree with you about material possessions. SO many spend their lives keeping up with the Jones just to retire to a simple life; just live a simple life from the beginning and enjoy your journey. You are doing what most dream of. Your self confidence allows you to be your true self unlike others!

I feel for you. I really do. 9 years ago I moved...

2008-07-23T19:59:00.000-05:00

I feel for you. I really do. 9 years ago I moved to Chicago, because of circumstance, away from an area that I loved. We had no want or desire to move, but not much of a choice. I made friends, real friends, and made the best of it, but was always miserable. We changed neighborhoods a few times as our family grew and needed more space. Finally 4 years ago, after 5 years of misery we moved to our current area. I found my niche. Chicagoland still does not hold my heart, but I have found my home. And I know, that wherever life takes our family in the future, I can dig my own niche and be happy no matter what my geographical location. My heart still yearns for 'home', but home is within my heart and my family and as long as I have them and be me we can thrive anywhere. Don't lose heart, just be you.

Hey Piper I know how you feel. Its funny I love so...

2008-07-23T18:50:00.000-05:00

Hey Piper I know how you feel. Its funny I love southern california but before i found my girlfriend I wanted out. I was going to move to Seattle for awhile and leave all my friends and family behind because I wanted to go to a place where it rained. A place different, with new experiences. Then I met my lady and am here in California for the near future. I still want to venture somewhere else though (with her) in the next five years.

wow, i though the horseshit on the cowboy boots an...

2008-07-23T18:15:00.000-05:00

wow, i though the horseshit on the cowboy boots and the republican waas all in jest, but you do need a western prince charming, don't you? not a fireman from florida, but a rancher from wyoming....just got back from the skyline, fished snow lke, caught 30 fish, rode horses, but hold on i'm 66 and not for you

Sounds like you're a ramblin' gal. I was, too. We ...

2008-07-23T17:28:00.000-05:00

Sounds like you're a ramblin' gal. I was, too. We left Texas 20 years ago, and I knew I'd be back. Guess what? I've been in the same place out east all that time! Home is where you put your boots, darlin'! BTW, Great Pop'rs Giveaway over on my blog. The more you comment, the better chance you have of winning--Check it out!

You have this amazing ability to turn wherever you...

2008-07-23T13:38:00.000-05:00

You have this amazing ability to turn wherever you are into home. I think you can continue to do this, knowing there may be hope on the horizon. *hug* If I'm ever in Oklahoma, make up the couch for me k?

Don't consider it settling. There could be a huge,...

2008-07-23T12:50:00.000-05:00

Don't consider it settling. There could be a huge, golden opportunity here staring you in the face. You make your own happiness, Piper -- and I believe you can make it here, for now. Nothing is permanent. You're just filling in the spaces between what the future holds.

Some people just don't get that life is for living...

2008-07-23T09:48:00.000-05:00

Some people just don't get that life is for living...not for exsisting. We all need to do what in our hearts make us happy and as long as our decisions don't hurt anyone, than I say do what feels right. I think it's amazing that you know yourself well enough and are brave enough to do what you think is best for you and your family.

That film moved me incredibly... I totally DO get ...

2008-07-23T08:58:00.000-05:00

That film moved me incredibly...

I totally DO get it, Piper! Here, in Idaho, I may live in the city but the mountains and white waters are easily minutes away. The very spontaneous lifestyle of "let's go hiking RIGHT NOW!", or waking up to see the skyline of white topped mountains and huge sky sunsets to kiss the day goodnight. I LOVE IT! The 7 years I was in Michigan KILLED my spirit. I felt dead, and like you, surrounded by consumerism of people who always needed bigger and better. It stunted my spirit and stole my breath. I lived with a lump in my chest... And every visit home, broke my heart again and again because I knew I'd have to leave.
BUT, where it once seemed impossible to come back, we made it happen. (not in any way remotely like we would have preferred) but we made it happen...
you can too, when that time is right for you!

I'm sorry Piper. I've been there. I pined for "hom...

2008-07-23T06:14:00.000-05:00

I'm sorry Piper. I've been there. I pined for "home" for many years. I hope that you your dream is realized one day. Dont give up hope. You're doing the right thing; making up your mind to enjoy the journey. How's your grandpa?