It Just Takes Time

Since graduating from high school in 1996, I've moved at least once every two years.

1996: From Booker to Dallas, Texas

1997-2000: Three moves in Oklahoma (Enid, Stillwater, & Oklahoma City)

2000: Boston, Massachusetts

2002-2003: Three moves in Dallas

2004: Houston, Texas

2006: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

August 2008: New York City

One of the many things I've learned from moving so often is how hard it is to make friends, and how much harder it is to make lasting friendships. It just takes time. I've always made friends, but, I've never had enough time to actually make friendships.

Today, my husband and I live in Philadelphia, where we moved for him to pursue his MBA. When we moved here in July 2006, we knew that we would move away during the summer of 2008, when he would completes his studies. We now know that we're moving to New York City this summer. We know also that we probably won't live there longer than 4 years. Needless to say, "home" has little meaning to me. Even my parents have left Booker, where I grew up. So, going to see them is not like going "home". If anything, I consider the state of Texas home.

Anyway, the reason I mention this is to provide background for what I will say next.

Tonight was Knitting Circle, and I look forward to it every week. Now that I'm not working, I look forward to it even more because it is a social opportunity. Furthermore though, it's an opportunity for me to see friends.

Knitting Circle is where I get to hang out with some really great women from completely different backgrounds, but one common interest. Since I'm a beginning knitter, I feel a little insecure about my skills and knowledge. Heck, I've only recently learned what an Alpaca even is! But, in this group, it really doesn't matter. They answer any of my questions, and they even compliment my botched projects.

For instance, I've been upset for the past few days about how horribly my first sweater turned out. It's 3 sizes larger than the pattern I used, and I knitted the armholes on the wrong side of the sleeves (i.e. the neck side!). I was almost ready to pull it out (grab the yarn at the bottom, pull, then wind the yarn back into a ball), but they were so sweet and even helped me figure out what to do to make the sweater wearable OUTSIDE of the house. They encourage me, telling me that it just takes time to learn to knit.

I went out with a few of the knitters afterward, and spanning from our one common interest, we chatted non-stop for another 2 hours. I had so much fun, but honestly, I'm a little sad, too. I'm just now finding these great people, and I'm moving again in 6 months. There's time, though. So, I'm going to make the best of it!

Thanks Lisa, Marissa, Regina, Sherry, and all the Knitting Circle ladies! I'm so glad I found you!