The Girl Who Wanted to Stay Home

Hi Everyone,

It is so amazing to actually be living half way around the world from my home in the US. When I was a kid, I was the one who always wanted to stay home…I didn’t want to go to Girl Scouts, dance classes, etc. I was comfortable at home and that was where I wanted to be! I’ve been like that since I was a kid…and still am, to a certain degree. Moving to the Czech Republic was a huge move outside the box for me!

It was never a goal of mine to live in another country. I wanted to travel a little bit, but never envisioned myself living abroad. I just thought I would live my life quietly in the US, and that was that, until I met my husband, Jiří. That is a story I’ll tell another time. After we met and fell in love, we were not certain how the future would work out. I have two kids, from a previous marriage, who at that time were still in high school, and Jiří has his work and an elderly mother who is completely dependent on him. These responsibilities kept us apart for quite some time. We would meet when we could, but it was very difficult. Then we decided it was time to marry and make a formal commitment to our relationship. We had to finally deal with the difficult conversation of how and where to live; this was challenging to sort out.

My husband felt it would be much too difficult to move his mother to the US. It would be too much of a physical, emotional, cultural shock to her. So, we decided I would be the one to move—to the Czech Republic. We also decided that it would be best for me to stay in the US until my kids were both in college and settled. After our wedding, we lived apart for two years! That was amazing…many people have such marriages, but let me tell you, it is not for the faint of heart. Well, truly, our whole relationship has not been for the faint of heart. Anyway, during those two years, we did see each other as often as possible…and maintained our relationship with many phone calls and emails and Gtalk!

Once my last kid was off to school, I began the huge job of packing up most of my belongings in the US, trying to sort out the few things I could bring with me to the Czech Republic. That was a hard job! I was a new empty-nester, having to sort through all those memories and things alone…and try to prepare for a new life with a new husband, in a new country! Not too much of a stress load all at once—I’m being sarcastic!! It wasn’t easy, but somehow I managed through!

Now, I’ve been living here for 18 months as of today—which doesn’t seem possible. Someone “upstairs” has been trying to get that little girl who wanted to stay home—me-- out of her comfort zone her whole life! Well, this time, I’m definitely out of the zone…and into the world! And so far, the adventure has been well-worth the effort. It will continue as I live here and learn the language and the culture of this new country. It’s not easy, but I’m having adventures I never would have had living a quiet life in one spot. I’m also learning so much about the outside world and other people…and learning about myself in the process. I’m truly thankful for this opportunity—and the new life I’m living—outside my comfort zone.

That’s all for now, you all have a great day!

God bless,
Sherry :0)

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