I’ve been in the Air Force for thirteen years. All I’ve ever known is movement. I thought I was a “mover and shaker” when growing up in NYC, and then the military sent me everywhere. Ive been at a stable location for four years now, and I love this place. But now I can’t help but feel the same. Something g out there is calling us to move, and go.
With a second child on the way, I know we shouldn’t. The stability we need right now is crucial.
How have you been able to consistently retain a support system through all the places you’ve lived?
We didn't need a support system until we started having kids, which has always been down here. My sister and her family moved to town but she's got her hands full with three kids of her own, and my dad is here, but he's a Boomer Grandpa, so really can only expect him to do so much. Emily's dad is older and not able to look after the kids. Both of our moms are gone, sadly, and all of our extended family still lives in Northeast. So we do have a very small unit that we can rely on in extenuating circumstances but most of it falls to the two of us.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and perspective on this. I think this is part of parenting that our "boomer grandparents" and parents never tell us. How raising kids have tons of minor factors we don't consider until they are right in front of us. The same is true for us. Our inner circle and support system is very small
Man, those are some powerful insights on contentment. I think we all feel that tug to keep moving--some more than others. Recently I’ve been fantasizing moving back to Mexico City. I lived there in my early 20s for a few years and loved it. But it’s not the same place it was not would my experience be any better now.
What bands were you in? I’d like to check them out.
Yep, I feel the same about NYC. It's not the place it was when we lived there, nor was it the place it was when I was a kid. Still, I can very easily see me and Emily getting old back up there!
Tons of bands over the years. But the one I toured most with was my band The Everymen. Jersey Shore rock and roll with some heavy-duty punk rock DNA. www.theeverymen.bandcamp.com
'In fact, the long journey to inhabit the present is the book’s crowning sentiment. Comparing himself with his young son, Wareham tells his therapist about his struggle to be in the here and now:
“‘Jack has this incredible ability to enjoy the moment,’ I told Bernie. ‘He’s always smiling and laughing and having a good time, while I’m sad about the past and worried about the future. ...’
“‘You’re pissing on the present.’
“‘What?’
“‘If you have one foot in the past and one in the future, then you’re pissing on the present...’”'
I know this feeling now. The contract I signed has also locked me in forever. It’s the only contract I don’t mind though - it pays back its dividends.
I’ve been in the Air Force for thirteen years. All I’ve ever known is movement. I thought I was a “mover and shaker” when growing up in NYC, and then the military sent me everywhere. Ive been at a stable location for four years now, and I love this place. But now I can’t help but feel the same. Something g out there is calling us to move, and go.
With a second child on the way, I know we shouldn’t. The stability we need right now is crucial.
How have you been able to consistently retain a support system through all the places you’ve lived?
We didn't need a support system until we started having kids, which has always been down here. My sister and her family moved to town but she's got her hands full with three kids of her own, and my dad is here, but he's a Boomer Grandpa, so really can only expect him to do so much. Emily's dad is older and not able to look after the kids. Both of our moms are gone, sadly, and all of our extended family still lives in Northeast. So we do have a very small unit that we can rely on in extenuating circumstances but most of it falls to the two of us.
Sorry to hear about your loss!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and perspective on this. I think this is part of parenting that our "boomer grandparents" and parents never tell us. How raising kids have tons of minor factors we don't consider until they are right in front of us. The same is true for us. Our inner circle and support system is very small
Man, those are some powerful insights on contentment. I think we all feel that tug to keep moving--some more than others. Recently I’ve been fantasizing moving back to Mexico City. I lived there in my early 20s for a few years and loved it. But it’s not the same place it was not would my experience be any better now.
What bands were you in? I’d like to check them out.
Yep, I feel the same about NYC. It's not the place it was when we lived there, nor was it the place it was when I was a kid. Still, I can very easily see me and Emily getting old back up there!
Tons of bands over the years. But the one I toured most with was my band The Everymen. Jersey Shore rock and roll with some heavy-duty punk rock DNA. www.theeverymen.bandcamp.com
Thanks for sharing the bandcamp link. I'm going to listen to your band today!
Enjoy! Start with the Mad Dogs record.
Will do!
There's a great line about a similar insight in Dean Wareham's memoir, "BLACK POSTCARDS: A Rock & Roll Romance":
https://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/06/books/review/Phair-t.html
'In fact, the long journey to inhabit the present is the book’s crowning sentiment. Comparing himself with his young son, Wareham tells his therapist about his struggle to be in the here and now:
“‘Jack has this incredible ability to enjoy the moment,’ I told Bernie. ‘He’s always smiling and laughing and having a good time, while I’m sad about the past and worried about the future. ...’
“‘You’re pissing on the present.’
“‘What?’
“‘If you have one foot in the past and one in the future, then you’re pissing on the present...’”'
I love that concept! (and imagery)