The Final Hours

No lie... last night was tough. Somewhere around 8:00 pm I entered a strange mental place. Part of me just wanted to collapse, another part was buzzing. I guess it was equal parts anxiety and despair. In an effort to not be overdramatic, I should remind myself that moving is always stressful, and I'm not sure that this time was any more so.

A few times I muttered a resentful prayer, something like, "Hey God, where's that fortitude through grace that flows from intentionality and surrender?" A few bright ideas and ongoing goal setting (Alright, done with the kitchen by 9:30!) put my exhausted head on the pillow around 12:40 am, a little less than five hours before I needed to awake.

The morning had a groggy beginning, but I was honestly brightened by how little there was left to do. Traffic was smooth and my errand run. Now for the cleaning.

I washed the walls,

scrubbed the carpet,

dusted the molding,

vacuumed the floors,

bleached the tub,

and so on.

Maudi (my landlord) was there ten minutes before our noon meeting time, but as the good Lord would have it, I was done two minutes before he arrived. His inspection of the apartment mostly involved carefully inspecting the vertical blinds. They were all in order. I always liked Maudi, and today he is just as gentle as always. I'll get the security deposit in about a month, he says. Take out a bit for the painting, general cleaning, and carpet cleaning. Oh, and minus the seven days of January. I can leave the dressers if I want, but his moving guys will come out of my deposit as well. The washer and dryer? He will leave the door open for a buyer to pick them up. I can leave it if I want. No, he won't buy them.

Apart from some junk in the garage, I am out of my apartment.

It's kind of a weird feeling not having a place I "must" go tonight. As I drove around today in my play, errands, and campsite scouting, I would often realize that this was it. My car, or more abstractly, travel, is my new home.

Overall, I'm pretty up about the whole thing.

One issue does loom a bit, though.

The Cold.