Once upon a time, there was a woman who lived in Seattle with her partner and son. They lived in a lovely home, surrounded by much beauty and many friends. However, as the years rolled and it rained in Seattle every winter, they grew tired of its weather. Weary from the weather and longing for sunshine in the dark days of winter, the woman and her partner decided to migrate. They worked hard for many years to make their dream come true and finally they did it.
For some years they went to India, their homeland. Then, one year, they went to Ojai, CA, a tiny town 40 minutes from Santa Barbara. Not knowing what to expect, the couple took their 3 year old son and set out for Ojai in their maroon Volvo. They drove for 10 days, visiting friends along the way. At long last, they arrived in Ojai. Their first few days in Ojai seemed strange. They were used to a busy life, with many amenities and activities to fill their waking hours. In Ojai, everything was smaller and slower. They felt lost those first few days. They even felt sad. The little boy was especially sad at having left behind everything in the world that he knew to be his home. He longed for his friends, the lake and his room in Seattle.
Then, slowly, the three of them began to create a home for themselves in Ojai. They visited places that might feel familiar, like the local library, the natural food store, the farmer's market and even a preschool for the boy to go to. Gradually, their days began to take on a shape, a shape different from their days in Seattle but nonetheless, a shape they liked. Pink sunrises welcomed them every morning, sunshine warmed their bodies, the mountains beckoned them on long walks and hikes and they even began to make friends. The little boy visited a couple of schools and started going to one. The couple gradually settled into a doing their work, they reached out and connected with people.
Then, the holidays came. Their family visited. Now, the three of them felt even more at home in Ojai. While showing their visiting family around, they felt like natives of Ojai. As the new year began, their comfort and ease at being in Ojai took on a whole new level. As friends returned from holiday vacations and the little town filled up once again, the three found themselves wildly connecting with old friends and new. Their days filled up quickly with play, hikes, walks, sunshine, good food, laughter and vibrant learning. They soon began to forget that they once lived in Seattle. Well, almost. The little boy still missed Seattle very very much and everyday he would ask his parents when they were going to return.
Then, one morning, the couple realized that they were only 2 weeks away from returning to Seattle. A panic filled their hearts. As they checked the weather in Seattle, they felt such sorrow at the thought of leaving behind their blissfully sunny days in Ojai. They moped around a little. Their hearts grew heavy. But this did not last long. Their boy's cheers for returning to Seattle, bolstered their spirits. They began to accept their return. They decided to make the most of their time left. They met with friends, had many meals together with them, they made kites and flew them, and planned many long walks in the wilderness of the Ojai mountains.
This story doesn't have an end yet. The boy and his parents are still in Ojai. They are spending every one of their last days soaking in every last bit of Ojai that they possibly can. They are also reflecting on how they can take back in their hearts the ease, leisure, love and comfort they found in the simply life of Ojai. Clearly, they are very busy in their leisure. So let them be until they are back in Seattle and this story finds its end.
.....Adios for now. I may not write so regularly in these last 2 weeks of our Ojai migration. I need to let myself feel all I need to feel in this hard period of saying goodbye to a place that has come to occupy such a special place in my heart and my whole being.
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