I didn’t realize that it’s been 11 days since I last posted a blog entry. During that time, I’ve been busy with a hodge podge of things to do before our departure to Paraguay. Moving is always an arduous process, but it’s especially trying when you’re heading overseas. Why? Because of all the preparations involved in myriad ways not needed for a domestic move. For example, yesterday the movers came and took everything. Seems easy enough. I didn’t have to do anything, right? No, I had to schedule the move two months ago, then reconfirm one month ago and submit paperwork and a list of consumable items to ship, then purchase additional items for shipment over the course of a month, meet a mover for a pre-departure survey three weeks ago, and spend more than a day sorting things into four categories–items that will travel with us, items shipped by air, items shipped by boat, and items to be left with the apartment. Then, on moving day, I had to disassemble some electronics and monitor the movers as they packed to make sure everything is sent correctly.
Sounds easy enough. OK, then move on to insurance. Once upon a time, I could go to the doctor and give them the name of my health insurance provider and that would be that. Nowadays, the process, complicated by overseas medical care, involves going to the doctor, getting the paperwork, filling out claim forms and submitting the claim(s) to the insurance company, get reimbursed, and then submit the remainder for an FSA pre-tax reimbursement. It’s these kinds of logistics replicated throughout one’s life that makes constant moving–my seventh in a little more than three years–a monumental task. One would think that moving becomes easier the more frequently you do it. In some respects that’s true. I now have a better sense of what to bring and what to ship. However, logistics such as address changes never become easier. It isn’t much fun contact 20+ companies every two or three years through a variety of means (Internet, phone, mail) to let them know you’re moving (again) and then arguing with half of them that an APO is not a post office box. (Companies prefer physical addresses over P.O. boxes.) I don’t mean to turn this blog entry into a gripe session, but I wanted to give you a sense as to why I’ve been offline for almost two weeks. I may not be able to blog frequently again until mid-July when we’re safely ensconced in Paraguay.
On a sad note, my grandmother is very ill. She suffered a stroke last Thursday and remains paralyzed on her right side. She is receiving nourishment, but fluid is building in her lungs. The prognosis is not good. I’ve very sad. I’m also conflicted because I want her to live but don’t want her to suffer, and what she’s going through right now is akin to drowning. She’s the only grandparent I have left, and I’m very close to her. I’m thankful that I said goodbye to her last February when I saw her in Montana. Each time I visit her feels as if it will be the last time. It seems that our last visit will be our last one.
