63 days and counting

It is a strange feeling to know that our lives are going to be moved to a place that is almost entirely unfamiliar to us.  On the one hand I'm looking forward to seeing our country from the outside for the first time.  It will give us all a perspective that not everyone in the U.S. has the chance to gain.  We will likely learn to appreciate some of the things that we have here, particularly here in Portland that we have taken for granted up until now.  For instance, just the other evening I had the chance to see a world class symphony performance and I could afford both the tickets and the parking.  Will that be possible in Dublin?

On the other hand I'm dreading some of the little things.  I worry about driving on the wrong side of the road and on the wrong side of the car.  I worry about crossing streets and looking for cars coming from the wrong direction.  I worry that I won't be able to find the grocery store, fit our laundry in the Lilliputian sized washing machines (that generally reside in the kitchen), or find my favorite toothpaste.  In short I'm worried about the stupid stuff.

But I'm also worried that our children will feel isolated, out of step and unwelcome.  So, I'm faking it.  Because that is what a good mom does- worry and pretend not to.  So, I'm telling you that I'm scared out of my mind, but just don't tell anyone that I said so.

I know that in the long run this will be a fantastic opportunity for everyone in our family.  But it's not the long run that worries me.  It's the little stuff.  And the not-so-little stuff.  It's the short term that's keeping me up at night.  But, with just 63 days to go, the short term gets shorter every day and soon we will be there, settled and LIVING IN IRELAND.  So, short term be damned - bring on the experience!