Personal Dilemma

My wife and I have found ourselves in a personal dilemma-----we are now considering relocating for the first time in 36 years.

This decision is difficult, at best. I have done a lot of soul-searching, wondering if it is the right thing to do. We have so many things to consider:
(1) Do we want to leave our home for 36 years, our community, our friends we have made, our family (some of whom still reside here), the great weather (except in Jan/Feb/Mar).
(2) Do we want to have the task of (and are we capable of) going through 36 years of "stuff" that we have accumulated?
(3) Can we afford to do this without hurting ourselves financially?


I have done a cost analysis----we can afford to if we want to.

The final decision, Toku and I have decided, is "What is best for her and I".

As she and I get older, we get "frailer" in every kind of way. I will not allow us to become a burden on ANYONE. Yeah, that's stubborn pride, arrogance, etc., speaking but that is the way I am. So be it!

One of the more compelling reasons to stay where we are is obvious-----there is still family here whom we love dearly and want to remain close by them. But what happens if they have to relocate (which may occur).

Another reasons are our friends: some of our friends are getting older/frailer just as we are and we want to be able to help them in any manner. In many ways, I feel that I am "running out on them", and I don't like that feeling. I have never run away from difficult times, and I don't want them to feel that way about our leaving. Some of these friends have been friends for 50 years!

The big advantages to relocating (to California) are:
(1) Weather, YEAR-ROUND!
(2) Nearness to another family member who we have missed for the past 26 years since entering the service. (2 week vacations are not the same thing!)
(3) Reconnecting with old friends who live out that way.

We have lived in an Air Force/Army town for a long, long time. If we relocate to California, (near Navy/Marines) that would be much like going home for us. I have good Army/Air Force friends here, but believe me, we have had "language" problems. Sailor/Marines I fully understand. The shared time we had with this "type" of people are unique, both for Toku and especially ME.
It is impossible for me to put into words my feelings for shipmates/wives who have shared so much of our younger times, both socially and militarily, good and bad.

So, folks, don't be too surprised if we shut down for a while until we get reestablished in California....it could happen and it could happen SOON.

For those that give a crap, I will keep everyone informed. For those that DON'T give a crap, you may disregard.

Tom

Blog Nr. 21

I have purposely not addressed the big news that has been bombarded on every network, cable station, talk shows, etc but I am now going to address two situations that I have varied/mixed feelings on. They are the Mosque near the WTC and the Koran burning in Florida.

This country has always prided itself of diversity throughout our history. I know we were sometimes "hypocritical" in our dealings with different ethnic/religious/immigrant populations but I thought we had come a long way. The constant coverage of the two items in the news today shows how much further we have to go.

The owner of the property near the WTC that wants to allow the mosque to be built SHOULD have every right to do with that property whatever he feels like, as long as no existing laws are broken. Can you imagine if I refused to sell my property to a "black", "Jew" or to a "homosexual"?? The furor would be immense!!!! All that being said, is it insensitive to build the mosque near the WTC? Sure it is. But is it the landowners right to do it? ABSOLUTELY.

The Koran burning is another issue which is top news today. It brings back memories of Nazi book-burning that I saw on TV in my youth. Does this "reverend" have the right to burn the Koran on his property? HE CERTAINLY DOES!!!. From what I have read/heard he will be breaking no local/state/federal ordinances by doing this. Is it insensitive and distasteful? CERTAINLY IT IS!!!

The two examples cited are indicitave of how the world is today-----zealots/extremists from the entire spectrum are getting all the publicity for there views.

Our courts have upheld the ruling that "Flag-burning" is okay. I find that very insensitive/stupid. I have served that flag, along with many millions of men/women for my entire life. It raises my hackles that some clown would do that, and I certainly would have a "Talk" with him about that.

I don't know how to conclude this-----I can only say stupid people do stupid things and if it breaks no existing laws, go ahead....knock yourself out. I firmly believe that the majority of clear thinking people will ignore both acts. At least I hope so.