Changes....

As most of you know, my life took a most unexpected turn with the beginning of the school year. My ex wife accepted a promotion within her company and moved a little over 300 miles away from here. I will spare any readers that I have left of the details of this move but suffice it to say that I was less than thrilled about the situation. Over the past months, I cannot tell you how many times I have been told that, "It is too far to go every week, you'll just have to accept not seeing your daughter as much, or you can't do it." Of course, I was also told that I couldn't seriously consider moving and throwing away a career just because of this. I disagreed...what good is my career if I never see the person whom I am working and living for! I have to admit, even I was skeptical as to whether or not I would be able to make the drive as often as I had when she was only 60 miles away. However, unlike those who advised me on this, it is not really a question of whether I am going to make the drive or not see her as often...it is more a question of whether I am going to make the drive OR uproot and move to be closer. Admittedly, the verdict is still out on that one but as of right now, I am making the drive each week. It is fortunate for me, I guess, that I enjoy driving and traveling and so I have adapted, somewhat, to driving about 700 miles every Tuesday. I was in great debate the first few weeks as to whether I would be able to accomplish this all in one day or would need to stay the night up there but so far, so good. True, it takes ALL day but I still feel that getting back at 2:00 in the morning is better than getting back in the middle of the next day and then not even having a whole day to rest and get things done before returning to work. I know, it's a good thing I live alone and don't have someone else here insisting that I get off my rump and take care of the household, eh? Then again, had I stayed married I also wouldn't be having these issues. Anyways, it has been interesting, to say the least. The worst part, besides the distance, is that my daughter and I are now in a completely new, unchartered territory. We have never been to this area of our great state before and although it is beautiful, it is very isolated and a little over 2 hours from the nearest large city!! I have always been proud of how big and vast our state is but it sure sucks to be in one of the areas that is so far from everywhere that I've ever known!! I digress. So, every week, the two of us explore and look for new things to do. We are finding new restaraunts, stores, and parks in the area. We are becoming quite adept at fitting as much as we can in the short time that we get together each week. Oh yeah, did I mention that her new school starts at the same time but gets out 30 minutes later? Just my luck!! Nevertheless, I am thankful for the time that we do get and that God has given me the ability to still make this work as best we can.

Anyways, this is the reason that my blogging has fallen off of the deep end into oblivion. I know I didn't have many readers and those that I did have probably just figure I quit because I became bored with the cars or something. However, that's not the case and actually, I can probably give the best reports imagineable on what 2010 cars are best for highway driving all day long, if I could just write the posts while driving! Everyone asks me how I can do this and how I am keeping this routine of driving up but my question is, how can I not? I am certain that most of you who are parents can understand this and identify to how you would feel in the same situation. My daughter is my life and no one is going to take that away or move too far...whatever I have to do or wherever I have to move to. I may never be able to forgive my ex for this but I guess that's what exes are for, huh? As I have mentioned to friends and family members before, if you have children and you are married and miserable...stay married because believe it or not, if you separate, you are actually giving the person you separate from even more power and ability to make you yet even more miserable than you were when you were married!!! I have been on both sides and believe me, as rash as this may sound, it is so very true. There is no question, problems and differences are easier to work out together than alone when the two forces work in separate directions. Isn't the insight that we gain with age wonderful? Useless, yet wonderful:?

I know that I am so blessed to have my daughter in my life and am thankful for every second that we get to spend together. One last thought that I want to leave with everyone who has children. Hug your kids as often as you can...love them and tell them so. When they are frustrating you and making you want to pull your hair out, hug them again and think of how lucky you are to have them and enjoy the time that you have together. So many times, we don't realize how fortunate we are and we take situations for granted. Stop, take a moment today, and smell these roses that God has planted in your life.

See you on the road!