Looking ahead whilst looking back...

I sat down at my laptop the other day to write down a story about a memory that I wanted to be sure I didn't forget and suddenly I had ten pages of my life written down. I don't know if anyone else would find it interesting or even mildly amusing but it's been very cathartic to write it. Who knows? Maybe if I ever get it completed I will self publish it and see what happens. In looking back at some of the strange and funny and even usual stuff that I've been through, I started to really appreciate where I am now and looking forward to where I want to be. I have some big plans for my future, the least of which is moving to a whole other country to live. It's no secret that I want to live in Sweden. I can't explain my love of Sweden since I am not Swedish at all. My roots are Polish and Irish and, while I want to see those countries too, I know that I really want to live in Sweden. There is a sensibility and honesty in Sweden that I haven't felt anywhere else. They live simply but do it well with great dignity and a quiet pride in their heritage. Yet, in spite of their deep history, they are the most forward thinking people I know. I am in love with the way they incorporate their modern ways, simple, useful design and clean lines with the historic old ways. New buildings that blow my mind live right next to old, ancient buildings that are still in use and the whole city landscape is breath taking. They also love and appreciate nature in a way that is amazing. Green spaces thrive within city limits and, sometimes, within the buildings themselves. Swedes revel in the spring and summer because the winters there are long and dark. Sunshine is greeted by people taking to the streets and congregating in city centers to soak it up. And the city centers are clean and kept that way. The first time I went to Sweden I felt instantly at home. I felt a part of it and I'm not even sure why! I just did and I want more of it. So much more that I want to live there. I have spent hours looking at apartment for rent sites on line and perusing Swedish home goods and furnishings. I will be ready when the time comes. Of course, looking back on my life, I know I have a great family here and, when I move, I will miss them all dearly and probably call them all the time. But they have their own families here and I know our bond will not diminish just because I am over the pond. I've spent almost my entire life in this one place, this one spot. I just realized I've worked at the same place for the past 19 years! I never would have imagined that I would do that. Inside of me is a person that longs to be among other cultures and new people and I've decided that the last part of my life will be spent in Sweden. It helps that I have Alexander. I know he longs to return to Sweden too and we're working towards that goal little by little. We'll get there. We know that. The funny thing is that, in some ways, I am almost more Swedish than he is! Oh sure, he's from there and all but I am constantly seeking out more information on Sweden. I think he thinks I'm a bit crazy! One person I know that would be completely behind my wanting to move abroad would have been my Dad. He was always wishing he could have travelled and he never got the chance. If he were here he would tell me to go for it! And it's his spirit that I inherited. Yes, my life has been great and is great right now but like I said - I have big plans and my life is going to get so much better!!