THE BIG MOVE

The Big Move

Moving to a new town can be an adventure, or it can suck big time. When my husband, Jake and I moved with our teenage daughter, Katy, it was both. When Jake retired after 20 years as a police officer in a fairly big city, we moved “up north”, to God’s country. We were about to move Katy, 15, who was born and raised in this fairly big town in Michigan from the friends and only life style she had known. I was hoping God would come with us. After much complaining, crying and any other event she could think of to inflict on us, we told her if this is the worst thing that happens to you in your life, consider yourself lucky. Reason did not work. So, she came with us, sad and depressed. Jake had two months more to work, so he stayed with friends while Katy and I stayed by ourselves during the week.

Our first night at the new place was not uneventful. We had purchased a house on ten acres with state forest on two sides, about 20 miles from any town. If you’ve never been in the country at night, you don’t know how dark it can get. You also don’t realize how many stars you can see on a clear night. So, I thought, this is why they call it God’s country. I didn’t have time to watch the sky, had to finish unloading the truck. As I went outside to get the last load, I heard shuffling in the leaves and snorting from what sounded like a large animal. The previous owner’s warning about bears being seen in the area went through my mind. Then I saw glowing, gold eyes only feet away from me. God, are you with me? I started to turn and run back into the house when from out of the dark, this creature showed itself. Jack, our black lab! I nearly screamed, from joy that it wasn’t a creature, or relief, I don’t know. This brought a laugh from Katy. Mom was getting some payback.

After unloading the truck and a relaxing glass of Jack Daniels and coke, it was time for bed. Even though Katy was sullen and distant to me, she got in bed with me, why I don't know, and we settled down for a well deserved sleep. Not! From under the house, at least I hoped it was under the house and not in the house, I heard what sounded like growling. “Was that you, Mom?”. Katy’s voice was quivering. “No, I thought it was you.” was my reply, not thinking that I should reassure her. Again, the sound. It seemed like it came from directly beneath the bed. Katy scooted closer to me and was quickly asleep. I wasn’t so lucky. The sound didn’t stop and I laid there, watching into the dark, tired, somewhat scared and exhausted.

Next day, everyone was accounted for and healthy. We would find out later that the noise was the sump pump under the house. What the dickens is a sump pump? I had no idea what a culture shock this move would be. Already I was missing concrete, street lights and 7-11’s. But that’s for next time. Along with the tractor, the chickens, the bears and the odd neighbors.