The Next Chapter

I am about to embark on a new chapter in my life. The one I leave behind began in 2003. With no path for further advancement at the school we worked for in Connecticut, my husband and I decided it was time to move on. Pretty much the last place on the planet we would have imagined ourselves in was Nashville, Tennessee, but it was a fabulous opportunity for my spouse and we decided it was worth the risk. There were plenty of bumps in the aftermath of our move, and, ultimately, our marriage was unable to survive the worst of them. But in the greater scheme of things, Nashville has been my home for 16 years and was a significant chapter in my life.

A little over two years ago, I came to realize that there was no longer anything holding me in Nashville. It was time to start the next chapter. But, what would that be?

With a newly established portable work-at-home business, I could work from literally anywhere in the world, though I couldn’t actually afford “anywhere.” I had to be practical, and having a base of friends would be ideal. Thus, when I started discussing with friends and family the idea of making a change, it became clear pretty quickly that returning to Bradenton, Florida, was the move that made the most sense.

If my parents were still alive, they would be shaking their heads with ironic disbelief. I can hear my mother laughing aloud about my decision to return because our move to Bradenton in 1974 was everything but positive for me. Nevertheless, having graduated from high school there, I do have quite a few friends in the area—friends that I enjoy being with and truly love. But the even bigger draw is that my sister lives in downtown St. Petersburg—just a quick scoot over the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. 

On October 31, I closed on the sale of my Nashville home, and a few short days later got in my 13-year-old Mini Cooper and began the drive south. I headed to Florida toward the most generous person I know—my sister, who has given me a great gift. Rather than try and coordinate both the sale of a house in Nashville and the purchase of one in Bradenton, she said I should stay with her in St. Petersburg after the sale before then beginning my final search for a new home. What a relief this was, and is.

Since arriving in Florida, I have started to work with a realtor in Bradenton. My aim is to be as close to the beach as I can afford. It’s looking like the distance will be somewhere in the four- to five-mile range. I might be able to ride my bike out to Anna Maria Island, or from time-to-time walk, thereby getting in my “steps.” In any case I’ll be close enough to make swimming in the Gulf of Mexico part of my regular routine. Doing so will be a bit of a dream come true as I’ve long wanted to, again, live near the water.

As my next chapter begins I am both excited and trepidatious about the uncertainty of how this move will turn out and how well I will weather the bumps on its path. During this season of Thanksgiving, I find that I am certain about one thing: how grateful I am for such a wonderful sister. I’ll do my best not to overstay my welcome. Thank you, Susan. I love you.

Copyright DJ Anderson, 2019