3.22.2017

Hope - Next Exit


"It must take courage to fly, 
to trust the wind to hold you 
as it lifts you away 
from all you've ever known. 
To know inside that you're heading 
where you're meant to go--
even if you've never been there before." 
-- from HALF A CHANCE by Cynthia Lord



So, the time has come to tell my secret. 

Well, I'm not really telling a secret. But I am revealing something I've not talked about on social media or in public. Some things just don't need to be processed socially or publicly. But now's the time. Long story short, I've spent much of the last year preparing myself, my family, and my home for a temporary relocation out of New York City to Rhode Island--and my moving date is April 14! 

We're making this move to allow my partner to follow a dream that will open up pathways towards a new career--a dream that's been in the making for over ten years! This had required us to renovate and empty out our New York City apartment where we both live and work so it can be sublet while we're away. And this has meant not just sorting through, cleaning out, rearranging, and renewing our apartment; it's meant sorting through, cleaning out, rearranging, and renewing  my childhood home. Which has honestly felt like a sorting through, cleaning out, rearranging, and renewing of my childhood. This process has been by turns filled with elation and sorrow, by turns overwhelming and cathartic. Authors with whom I work know I always encourage an appreciation for, and embracing of, the journey as much as the destination and a trusting of the process. And now it's my turn.  It's my time to experience the experience of this journey and to trust in the process, that's for sure.

A year ago, I didn't understand what I do now--that this process has been necessary and a long time in coming. I've owed my apartment a thorough cleaning, sorting, and renewing for years (closets, drawers, files, shelves, and boxes don't ever seem to sort themselves, do they?). What I appreciate now, today, on the verge of this move, is that I've owed myself just as thorough a cleaning, sorting, and renewing. What a gift this has been and continues to be. Not easy by any means--and believe me, I've had my breakdown moments along the way with one tantrum (okay, maybe two) and one half-hour lying-in-the-fetal-position incident (okay, maybe two).

I can't believe the movers will be here in three weeks. My partner's already up in Rhode Island because the program she's taking started March 1. I am in the New York apartment balancing move prep and drydenbks work; and I'm feeling like I'm on top of it now. Finally. Ready. Ready to go on this new adventure. Ready to take this chance. Ready to fly. Knowing inside that I'm heading where I'm meant to go--even if I've never been there before. And I'm hopeful.  

And you know what's great? The apartment in which we'll be living and in which drydenbks will carry on business is located in our new state in our new town on...Hope Street

Hope - next exit.


(c) emma d dryden, drydenbks LLC

50 comments:

  1. Very brave and hopeful post, Emma. I smiled when I read your quote from my dear friend, Cindy (Cynthia Lord) She is one of the most heartfelt people I know-the same person you see in the words of her books. Good luck on your new venture.

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    1. Cindy's words have bolstered me through this whole process. Thanks for your kind words, Mona!

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  2. How exciting--I love RI!

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  3. Wishing you both a renaissance on Hope Street! Happy hugs, Terri

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  4. Very excited to hear about all your new adventures! #Hope

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  5. You will thrive where ever the wind carries you Emma Hope Street is the perfect place for your new adventure! Hugs! ❤

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  6. Oh, good luck! You've certainly found the right location!

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  7. Beverly James3/22/2017

    How exciting! I am putting out in the universe that your partner will have the time of her life and that you will enjoy this new adventure.

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    1. Thanks so much for your kindness, Beverly!

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  8. Congrats on the decision, the move, the release from the status quo! Good luck on the next leg of your journey.

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  9. Hope! Luv it! Enjoy your Excellent Adventure! xx

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    1. Here's to Excellent Adventures for us all. Many thanks, Sharon!

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  10. Moving is a great way to re-visit, review and renew. And you will love Rhode Island, Emma. We were just in Newport. Great pub there with the best fish and chips I have ever had, EVER!

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  11. Congratulations on your new adventure, Emma and thank you for sharing your journey. It is a process - discovering what's weighing us down. But when we let go, oh how we soar! Best wishes in your new home on Hope Street.

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    1. You're so right! The last big blog post I wrote was about Letting Go... (https://emmaddryden.blogspot.com/2016/08/the-art-of-letting-go-in-life-and-art_13.html) and now, here I am! Many thanks for your kind words, Tracey!

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    2. Thank you. Another wonderful read!

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  12. I hope you enjoy our little state. Moves are hard, but can be great. Good luck!

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  13. Rhode Island is gaining two amazingly talented new occupants. May your journey be blessed with happiness and good fortune. I have been to The state many times as a dear relative lives there. It's beautiful. I'm sure you will love it.

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    1. Thanks so very much, Tom. Let me know the next time you're coming to Rhode Island and we'll catch up!

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  14. How can you go wrong on HOPE STREET? Life is full of choices and bravery is sometimes required to make even the smallest ones. But what adventures you might miss if you didn't take a deep breath and leap into new territory. Embrace, enjoy, and keep sharing your experiences. Enjoy your new nest!

    Judy E.

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    1. That's it, Judy! Whenever we had moments of "What are we doing?" and "Maybe we just shouldn't do this," we both recognized that we'd miss too much and we'd regret it for the rest of our lives if we didn't try this! Thanks so much!

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  15. Rhode Island is beautiful! This is a sign that HOPE Street will be everything you want it to be and then some more.

    Congratulations to you and your partner!

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  16. Very exciting! Hope street sounds like a perfect place to realize your dreams!

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  17. Emma, the journey is the grand scheme of life. Follow your heart and your love and you will have the adventure of a lifetime.

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    1. Yes! And now I'll be closer to the SCBWI New England crowd - hoping to be more active with that region. Cheers and thanks, Joyce!

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  18. An exciting new adventure! All the best chapters begin with one. Best of luck,Emma, and enjoy!

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  19. Journey on in joy, dear heart!

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  20. Emma, you are such a beautiful person, people will embrace you wherever you go!
    Home is in the heart of everyone you love, and in everyone who loves, you.
    Pema Chödrön says:
    To be fully alive, fully human, and completely awake is to be continually thrown out of the nest.
    Pema Chödrön

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    1. Thank you so much. This quote from Chodron is beautiful!

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  21. Welcome to the Ocean State! I'm originally from NJ, and I love it here.

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    1. Thanks, Linda! Looking forward to exploring RI!

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  22. So exciting!! Everything about it sounds right. Best of everything to both of you.

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  23. Just catching up on your news, Emma. Congrats and godspeed on your move!

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  24. OMG Emma! This is so wonderful. Thanks for sharing your story!! You are such an inspiration always! xo

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  25. So moved by your courage! This reminds me of a favorite quote that helped me survive my colllege days, from Sister Corita Kent. "There are no rules about leaping into the new, because no one has ever been there before." Enjoy the new, Emma!

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    1. This is an empowering quote! Thank you for sharing this with me, Linda.

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