Reactions

When telling people we're back in Tampa, for good, a few reactions stand out from the others. There have been different approaches, each of them beautiful in their own special way. For example, there's:

--Subtle.

"Wanna get naked?"

I'm kidding. Relax.

--Get Over Yourself.

"Let's hang out and grab a bite to eat. But you don't mind if I email and text and check messages the entire time, right? Have I mentioned how much I miss you? What was your name again?"

--Selfish.

Already covered this, but I've been thinking about the upside.

Brother took a job in Philadelphia and will move from Miami next month. This is a great opportunity for him. Instead of barking about how we just moved back and how his move affects my life, I simply said what I'd want to hear.

"Congratulations, kid. Sounds like a great new adventure for you."

Meant it too. Maybe if I hadn't dealt with the maroons, I'd have reacted selfishly. Thanks maroons!

-- The Absolute Best.

After a few days of soaking up sun and love, we told our boys that they'd been awarded partial scholarships to a good school in Tampa and Mommy got a great job(s) so we'd decided to stay. Oldest wrote up this note and handed it to us with hugs and kisses.

--Supportive.

Big ups to Becky. The day after I told her, she reacted with honesty and self-awareness. Breath of fresh air really.

"I want to be mad at you, but can't," she said. "There's no way to justify it."

"Why mad?" I asked.

"Because you're not coming back. We didn't even have a chance to get used to the idea of you living here."

"Maybe that's a good thing."

"No..."

"I can be a handful."

"Who can't? No, I stayed mad for five minutes, but then realized you are doing what's best for your family. Can't be mad at you for that."

See? That's why she's my closest friend.

--Validation.

Husband's boss approved a deal to let him commute between The Springs and Tampa.

--Acceptance. And a bit of love.

Moved into my parent's house with the kids. Immediately Dad took me across the street to see a house for sale. As we walked back, he said, "That's a great house, isn't it?"

"Yeah," I said.

"Hell of a deal, don't you think?"

"It's a great deal," I said with a smile, looking around my parent's living room. "But not as good as the deal I've got right here."

Dad took a swig of beer. I think I heard him say a prayer. Then he looked at me and said, "You're never leaving. Are you?"

I don't know about *never*, but as I listen to my children play in the pool and I smell the food my mother cooks with love, I'm in no hurry to leave.

Besides, a liberal Jewish woman living with her right-wing Catholic dad...a vegetarian hippie girl hanging with a grumpy meat eater...well...gives me plenty of material.

No hurry to leave. No hurry at all.