Village Life - Month 6

Here we are in our 6th month in the Village. It has flown by. Of course an amazing number of things have happened in these months. We are halfway through our first year and even more importantly, we are halfway through our lease! I get giddy just thinking about it. Happily, it looks like our finances will allow us to buy a house soon and not have to stay here a second year. Hallelujah and Amen!

The thought of getting out of here sooner rather than later will be enough to keep me warm these winter months. Or not. As I sit here typing this I am wearing jeans, knee highs, fuzzy boots, a tank top, a long sleeve t-shirt, a long sleeve sweater and a scarf. For reals. And you know what? I'm cold. You know what else? It's all worth it.

Late yesterday afternoon Emma and I walked through the snow to our new dentist's office. On the way back we stopped at our favorite gourmet shop that is housed in a sweet little cottage to celebrate no cavities with a chocolate chip scone. They love her there. She loves them. They hug her and call her by name and occasionally offer her free scones. She's been told she has a job there when she's old enough. Her artwork even graces the window. This is what life in the Village is like.

This morning it was still snowing. Millie and I walked Emma to school and then I met my buddy Sarah at the coffee shop followed by knitting class at the yarn shop. Afterward I walked over and picked up my dry cleaning and then stopped to chat with a neighbor who was walking her dog on Main Street. Then I slowly made my way home as the snowflakes fell upon my shoulders and with every step of my feet I felt overwhelmed with gratitude for this life I find myself living.

I live in a Norman Rockwell painting. I wouldn't blame any of you if you thought it didn't sound real. It doesn't sound real to me either. Yet I am living it and falling more in love with it each and every day.