When asked to narrate one of the most memorable moments in my life, initially I felt completely stumped. Day to day life for me can be easily described as typical/average; and if given the requirement to write a stimulating novel, it would definitely not be anyone's first pick. Sleep, eat, school then repeat is basically my only everyday schedule. After hours of contemplation and a decent night's slumber though, I finally realized the single most event that has almost changed me completely. The thing that has contributed to my very being presence here today; moving across the country. The idea of moving was often pondered by my parents, resulting from unhappiness with being in Michigan so long, but I always took it for what it was, another silly thought. That feeling changed when my mother decided to take a leave of absence from her management position and drive over seven hundred miles to Georgia for a job interview. Even though others would usually be jovial and excited about the opportunity for their parent to further their career and prosper, I secretly hoped that something would not go smoothly and she would recant. Michigan was my home, and sure it wasn’t the most magnificent city, but it was all I knew. I lived my days in the same house, same neighborhood, riding around the city with the same people. Middle and high school were filled with familiar faces I had known since kindergarten; and quite frankly, I was comfortable. School wasn't straining as it came easy
Then, incidentally, we moved again. My freshmen year of high school at Argyle had just concluded, and my dad decided that it was simply too expensive to live there. I met this decision with both apprehension and relief. He determined that we belonged in Mineola, Texas. Typically, I would have been miserable, but this time, I was thrilled. It was strange because I loved Argyle, yet I was so eager to leave. The longer I contemplated how this could be possible, I realized it was because I could not wait to meet new people, scenarios, and experiences. I was ready for my newest challenge.
This essay is based on an event that changed my life forever. It is a passage that is mixed with feelings and emotions. This experience gave my life a purpose and a sense of direction. It allowed me to grow from a boy to a man in just one day.
I have some news for you… You’re not going to like it”. The hardest thing for me yet, is trying to fit in. So, coming home to a parent saying we’re moving was amazing news, I couldn’t be happier. But, moving school districts was going to be a very hard obstacle to maneuver around. One year later, coming home from work, my father came up to me and told me he got a promotion in his job. I was thrilled for him, after that he told me we have to move again, this time to Texas. This is not what I had in mind, however, I still was happy for him and expected myself to accept the idea of making more friends in a different state.
On October 5, 2010, my mom made the permanent decision to move to Iowa from Indiana. I was very nervous. I knew I had to switch schools, I had spent three years at that school getting to know everyone and getting used to the school, but now it was time to leave not only the school but also the state. While on the road, I couldn’t concentrate. We’ve been to Iowa numerous times so I knew the drive quite well. I ended up going to sleep by worrying myself so much.
Growing up in a small town near the border of Arizona, I had always displayed an interest in seeing the world–the different cities and sceneries. But at the same time, I felt at home in Arizona. I breathed for the desert air, the grinched-colored cacti, and the occasional roadrunners. Imagine my surprise when I found out, shortly after my parents split, I was moving to New York City.
For many Americans, geographical moves are a normal expectation of life. “Thirty-five million Americans had a geographic move between 2010 and 2011, that is, 10.6% of the population” (Milligan et al.). Whether moving for a job or for college, moving can either be a wonderful fresh step in a person’s life or a frightening, stressful experience. As moves approach, people often focus on the positive aspects of moving which blinds them of the possible problems that can come along with it, especially in families with children. Moving has negative effects on children because they encounter social hardships, they struggle with education and they can develop mental health issues.
It was June of 2013 and I was in my room cooling, watching “Good Luck Charlie”. My mom came into my room saying that she was ready to move out of New York. Obviously I did not want to move out of the city I was born in. My mom never liked living in New York, so she always thought about moving. So the plan was to move in August. Time went by and I was thinking about what North Carolina would be like. I really wasn’t thinking about the friends I was leaving in Brooklyn, that never crossed my mind.
At some point of our lives, we have all felt that feeling of what to do next, and mine would have to be the time I had to move from different cities. I was born and raised in McAllen, Texas. Throughout the years I was able to create and cherish many memories. Everyone around the neighborhood knew me as the shy, sweet, and kind Emily. My life was made in the valley until I got the announcement from my parents that we were moving to a new city named “Laredo.” At that moment my world had paused, so many questions were running through my head. What am I going to do? Where will I live? , and how will I adapt to this new town? So many mixed emotions were created, but I tried to hide them.
I’d lived in Florida my entire life up until I was nine years old, so moving to a new state was a big change for me. In fact, moving to Ohio was the biggest change in my life so far. It was because of my grandparents’ visit that mom realized living in Florida isolated us from the rest of our family. For this reason, my parents came to the conclusion that we should move to Ohio. I didn’t want to go at first, but I didn’t have much of a choice.
At the end of Freshman year, I moved away to Michigan from Illinois. I lived in Illinois since I was born until the move. Michigan to me, seemed to be too far of a move. My parent’s friend is who gave them the idea that Michigan was a “better place” than Illinois.
“We are moving to Arizona. It’s your decision whether or not you come with us.” As a seven year, old girl, this was one of the hardest things to hear from the woman I was supposed to trust most, my mom. I had to make a decision whether or not to move across the country with my mom and a stranger, or move in with my dad and stay near my family. I immediately responded with “I will be staying in Massachusetts”. Although I knew that this decision would flip my world upside down, I didn’t know how much I would personally change because of it. In that moment, I didn’t know that I wouldn’t be seeing my mom for another year. I didn’t know that our relationship would never be the same again. That one sentence changed the whole course of my life. In that split-second decision, I went from a seven-year-old little girl, blind to the reality of life, into a mature young girl forced to swallow the idea of her mother leaving her behind.
One year ago, my parents shattered my heart by breaking the news that we were going to be moving to Michigan. At first, I thought that this was just a joke and I didn’t believe them, until I realized that they were serious. Once the harsh reality started settling in, questions immediately began popping into my head as tears streamed
In the heat of summer 2011, I moved from small town Statesboro, Georgia to Columbia, South Carolina. I was only six at the time, so I hadn’t really thought much about moving to a new house, new school, or even a whole other state. In actual fact, I was mostly enthusiastic about moving. This was a both positive and negative experience for my whole family. This was the year my whole life changed.
I had grown up in a tiny-ish village with my Mother and when I finished high school, I had moved away to the city for college without even thinking twice. There were two reasons for my rapid move: I wanted to see what was out there and I wanted to finally escape from my Mother and her horrible choices on husbands.
“The most beautiful moment in life may not come as soon as you think and once you have it, it doesn’t always last forever or end the day you have it. It lasts for however long you wish for this moment to last within your own life,” read the colorless poster on the wall above my bed. I honestly thought this was complete and utter idiocy, considering the fact that this quote were to be based on their absolute perception of this world. The creator of this quote were to have been refusing to fully comprehend that not everyone is treated with the same respect as others and may live a devastating life to the extent that they cannot create a beautiful moment in life now, nor in the future.