Recovering from a total knee replacement surgery for the past ten days has been (as promised) a roller coaster: physically, emotionally, and spiritually. For anyone casually thinking about relocating your home at the same time as or close to a joint relo, I would counsel: one very good thing at a time. I am thrilled to have been able to move into my new place prior to the surgery, because I’m enthralled with my new home and it has been very uplifting to be here. But maybe the stress of closing, moving, and discovering the things that need to be fixed in your new home is enough for the time without t’other. Just sayin’ if you have the choice.
There were many contributing factors to my making this move now. I loved my downtown LA life, and my condo was just the way I wanted it. North facing with dramatic views, and the convenience of shopping right across the street, and restaurants and events centers close by. It’s a funny thing that time has a way of making one feel stagnant when circumstances change and your surroundings don’t. The past six years have transformed that apartment into my work place for two years during COVID and remote instruction, and it will always be the last place I lived with my soulmate and where I lost him. It is where I got and survived cancer, and lastly, the place I retired to after nineteen years of teaching and production managing. That’s a lot for a little home in 1193 square feet to encompass and have there still be anything left for “what’s next?”
As I sit in my recliner looking out at the patio where the hummingbird feeders are newly filled, the clientele bearing little to no resemblance to the counter at my favorite NYC Empire Diner, I am reflecting on how huge a move this was. My son can barely wrap his mind around the fact that I am able to spend an afternoon with my big brother when he visits with his dogs after their walk. It’s been such a gift to greet each day in a new environment, and the mobility required to navigate my new home is just what the doctor ordered. Easy laps around the living room, steps to practice what was unconscious just a week ago – stepping up and stepping down. I can feel my knee knitting itself back together. It reminds me when I need to get up and move around.
Friday I broke out of the “rehab center” with my brother to do some errands – drop off a package at FedEx, pick up some lunch stuff at Whole Foods, and restock meds before the weekend, though each day I am feeling better with just the Tylenol and weaning off the other stuff. It felt good to get out, though difficult to get in and out of the car, and Whole Foods has a diabolical moving ramp to exit the store which served us well for getting a selfie. What a beautiful store! I feel fortunate to have moved here. I got to babysit the newly-groomed doggies while Don picked up my order at Ralph’s the other day. Boy, were they glad to see him come back!
I never need to worry about what’s next in this new location with the challenges of rehabilitation of the knee ahead. Lots to do and lots to see. My requirement for more trees and blue sky has been more than happily met here. I can’t wait to share Universal Studios with my granddaughters when they come in April. So much to do and the promise of good friends and family to do them with buoys me each day through this recovery. Bring life on!
lifeinthethe8tre 