Believing is Seeing

I think that it is somewhat natural for individuals to become more reflective during certain events of their lives. Those obvious events include births, deaths, and birthdays ~ all of those moments that force us to take a deep look at where we currently stand in relation to where we expected to stand. Today is one of those days for me!

It is my birthday. And nothing feels different from yesterday nor from last year and yet certain things are monumentally different…and others haven’t changed a bit. For example, I was up at 3am today. Now, I’ve been up at 3am on past birthdays as well. And like past birthdays where I was up at 3 am, I did have someone screaming at me. But this time it wasn’t the bartender indicating that it is was really last call and that we needed to leave; it was Reily anxiously wanting to be the first one to wish me a happy birthday!

And again, like past birthdays, I got sick last night. But this time it wasn’t due to the over-consuming of the nectar of the gods. Just a reminder that my stomach can no longer handle undercooked meat followed by a bag of reese peanut butter cups. And like past birthdays, I remind myself that it shouldn’t take ‘milestone’ events to occur for me to be reflective upon where I currently stand in this world. I would be better suited if I just incorporated it into my daily routine – add it to the list.

But today is different. I got up like normal at 3 am being that I lack the ability to fall back asleep like my other 3 roommates possess; and I was able to walk the city. There is just something amazing about the city before it is inhabited with routine. And likewise, I seem to find myself embracing the brisk morning air regardless of the temperature when its enjoyed in solitude during the early morning hours. Yet my perspective on the weather changes dramatically by evening as the once refreshing breeze is replaced by the harsh, winding wind that seems to enjoy battering any exposed skin that it can find. What is so different between the two occurrences besides the timing and my perspective? And there I have it – that is the difference!

Not one for change, I’m slowly learning to accept that the only constant is change itself. With that, I’m welcoming my 31st year (and here is where my father will argue that I’m in my 32nd year but that is for another discussion and one best enjoyed 5 beers deep!) and learning that timing and perspective are the secrets to this life of mine. Life is about details ~ and that is where the beauty lies. For when we go through the motions of our days then we forget the wonderful moments that are right before us. And I almost missed an amazing one this morning ~ something that yesterday would been looked at as routine. But not today; for I got to hold Reily during the first moments of my birthday – feeding him as he drifted back off to sleep next to his mom. And that is where my perspective changed!

As the sun set on our final day in California, we were awash with many different emotions and thoughts.  The radiant reds and oranges were a magnificent good-bye from the West and reminded me of the many beautiful sunsets we were able to enjoy with our beach community.  The plane went out over the Pacific and then banked back toward land, providing a clear view of the illuminated Pacific Wheel at the Santa Monica pier set against the bright lights of LA.  I recalled how we had felt when we touched down there only nine months ago.  We had dreamed about the perfect weather, the beach, surfing, hiking the mountains and the short drive to go snowboarding.  So why are we leaving all of this?  That is the question most people ask with a smirk.  Well, I’m excited about being closer to family and the many friends we have back east, especially those with kids; a career change that will allow me more satisfaction and time to focus on Dan & Reily; and the conveniences of the city that we had missed dearly on many nights.  California does have a lot to offer, but it will still be there on vacations.  So bring on the snow and rain and humid summers, we will make the most of any place…together.

This looks to be the final post from our California home.  We have our individual bags packed, a few boxes with formula and diapers already in transit, and are just sitting patiently waiting for the movers to show up to begin their packing.  (And what has become ‘part of the culture’ – the movers are late and I’m sure that there was ‘traffic;’ a rant that I’ll complete at a later date.)  For now, we have the little guy down for a nap and are just surfing the net before everything gets disconnected.

A myriad of emotions are running through each of us right now but, by and large, the excitement of being back in Chicago, a city we’ve come to love through the separation, is running wild through our bodies.  Reily is oblivious and Belle is suspect – somethings must just come with age!

We’d like to take a quick second and thank all the wonderful people that we met out here – and even those that weren’t so wonderful!  We enjoyed all the time that we had and would love to take a few of you with us but our guess is that you wouldn’t be able to survive the first time you felt the wind circle back off the lake – its nothing like a gentle ocean breeze!  And as expected, over the past few days, moments…moments…brief moments of doubt crept into our heads; wondering if this was the right decision.  And that seems to last only as long a few breaths when we both long for our urban home.

We’ll be taking back a number of ‘lessons learned’ and allowing this experience to really enrich our lives.  Many of which are geared towards simplifying our lives – and maybe it has more to do with the speed at which Reily seems to grow up.  Regardless of the origin, we are looking to drastically simplify our day-to-day life and embrace each moment for what it has to offer.

And the clock continues to tick….33 hours 26 minutes 19 seconds to wheels up…but its LA and nothing seems to leave on time!  But we’ll make it there eventually – with a pen in hand to begin writing the next chapter of our life.  33 hours 25 minutes…

-The California Stummer Family signing off…

My guess is that this will not come as a surprise to any of you. Solely based on his parents tendencies to march to their own beat and ignore what looks like a logical progression of events, why would Reily be any different! It appears that he is not interested in the standard progression of learning to crawl then to walking.

He has absolutely no interest in crawling! This may be in part to the physical challenges that it poses for someone who is rounder than he is tall. So, if he wants to bypass this for the time-being and concentrate his efforts on standing upright, then we will encourage him – despite the dangers of having a little, mobile bulldozer! And things may change after he takes a few big spills; which currently render him unfazed.

So here is a quick video of him practicing some life skills that proved invaluable for his father…as you can see, just like his dad, he’s a natural and has moves so progressive that it leaves others mystified by his shear magical movements.

6 days and counting!!!!

In less than one week’s time, we’ll be watching as all of our worldly possessions are loaded onto a truck and ready for transit back to Chicago.  All that will remain will be hailing a cab, wrangling up the cat, and occupying a 5 month old with songs and books.  We’ll pull up to LAX and about that time is when we’ll be flooded with emotions as we realize that one chapter is closing and another is opening.  The settings are familiar but by no means will the story be the same.

Los Angeles will be missed and I really do like this city.  When you strip it of all the distractions – the traffic, the quakes, the paparazzi, the Lakers – you have a fantastic city.  The diversity is amazing, the landscape is jaw-dropping, and the weather is just short of perfect.  I’m grateful that we’ve agreed to keep the business here and subsequently will be back frequently to visit.  Christine and I agree that Los Angeles is a city of youth; and that we probably would have enjoyed it more when we were younger.  A time where memories were fuzzy, scheduling of events always ended in -ish, and when we had so much more to prove.
But life is about change and the one thing that will be coming back with us to Chicago this time (in addition to Reily!) is a new found love affair with ‘change.’  An acceptance and embracing of a lack of permanence.  Recognizing that the only constant in our life is that it is inconsistent.  Our tastes change and we are now ok with that.  Our dreams are bigger; our expectations higher.  Our needs are less material and more experiential.  And we are hungrier than ever!

The cities are different; and that is good.  The people are unique – and that is an understatement for Los Angeles!

And we prepare.  Trading thongs (as in sandals!) for boots; swapping sunblock for scarves.  Gas expenses migrate to subway fares and shitty pizza gets replaced with gut-busting deep dish!  Greeting strangers with hugs is thankfully replaced with meaningful handshakes; and local pubs are within walking distance and don’t serve neon drinks.

But buyer beware.  A quick warning to the windy city – Reily is coming!  And he is almost mobile and completely fearless.  He has a furious appetite and an insatiable need to shove everything in his mouth – regardless if its still attached to you or not.  He is not concerned with clean and is a true hunter.  He is isn’t quiet and uses high-pitched shrills to confuse his opponents just before he attacks. You’ll know its him by his trademarked spit-drenched outfit and the disarming smile that is plastered across his face.  Don’t let this fool you.  Take heed Chicago – for he is coming and he will not be denied in his quest to conquer!

He arrives in one weeks time!

Reily is Ready