So here we are at the end of February, just seven months
since we arrived in the UK. There is
just one thing that needs to be said, we are moving back to Colorado Springs.
There is not just one factor that has led us to make this decision before we reach our one year anniversary, but rather a combination of many. I do not think it is right for me to spell out all of the reasons why we have made this decision. Partially because I do not want to upset anyone, partially because the reasons taken individually may not make complete sense, but mostly because I just don’t want too. With that said, here is a summary: cost of living, weather, employment prospects, healthcare, cost of fuel, quality of life. Maybe I will expand on this later. Some of our friends are aware of the situation and the reasons behind this decision, others no doubt will ask.
We have already begun making plans to move back. Several
shipping companies are scheduled to come and give us quotes. Both Mayzie and I have been applying for
jobs, and both of us have some promising leads. But feel free to let us know if
you hear of openings that fit our skill sets.
That is not to say leaving the UK will be entirely easy.
Taking the boys away from their grandparents, one of the reasons for coming
here in the first place, will be very difficult and emotional for us all. And
of course following our yard sales we will be returning to the USA with very
little. We need to start again…again. But we both truly feel that this is the
right thing to do for our family and worth the costs. And if any of you in
Colorado Springs have household items you are thinking of donating to Goodwill,
please don’t just yet!
Some will say we haven’t been here long enough, or that
perhaps the grass isn’t greener stateside. To that I say; we had lived in
Colorado Springs for seven years before we left last year. Also, we moved back
to Colorado Springs after living in Vermont for three years. There is something
about Colorado that draws us back. For us, the grass is not as green anywhere
else than it is in Colorado. Hopefully we now fully understand this and don’t
move out of the state again! And let’s not forget I chose to leave the UK when
we first married – almost fifteen years ago. It turns out that, in this, case
absence does not make the heart grow fonder.
So while leaving England will have some problems attached,
the overriding pull of Colorado is too much to ignore. We hope we will be able
to re-kindle our friendships left stateside, and yet at the same time not burn
bridges and friendships re-found here in Blighty.
We don’t yet have a date for when we are moving back, or
rather, as of yet we haven’t purchased any plane tickets. However, I would be
lying if I said it will probably be more than 2 months, and likely will be even
sooner. We just want to go home.
Cliff.