So I've been wanting to write this post for awhile now. Isaac and I moved to Mesa right before we got married, so that he could finish school there and somehow we have never left Arizona. I really didn't like it there for a long time, but slowly, Mesa grew on me and the last few years I have been so grateful to live there, especially after Isabelle was born. There are so many things that I miss about it, so here's to the city I grew to love. My Top 6 things I miss about Mesa (in no particular order).
1.The People - Isaac and I made so many great friends in Mesa that I was so sad to leave behind. Friends from teaching, friends from our ward, friends from my MOMS group, friends from our apartment complex. So many great people who were so kind and helpful to us. I have so many great memories of the kindness of people there - the Christmas we were surprised for weeks straight with visits from "The Ridiculous Rowdy Reindeer" who made our Christmas one of the most special Christmases ever. Memories of Isabelle being born and people popping out of the woodwork to offer help, bring dinners, call, visit, babysit Eli. My friend Jen, a wonderful woman from our ward, who for over a year took Eli to her house every Thursday morning to play with her little boy and to help us out. She was so sweet and kind to my son, when we moved she came to say goodbye and had tears in her eyes, telling me how much she had grown to love our little guy and how much she was going to miss him. Eli still asks if he can go play at Jen's house. Such special people that we got to know there, who blessed the lives of my small family and I really miss them.
2. The Doctors - Probably seems weird to have doctors be on our list, but there are 2 major Children's Hospitals in the valley and so doctors and therapists were plentiful. Now that we have to travel so far to see them, I appreciate them even more. Her doctors called us at home to check on her, they were always willing to listen to my concerns and take time with her. After being here for just a few months and switching pediatricians to a local doctor here, I am convinced that if she had been born here, she never would have been diagnosed, wouldn't have received many of the therapies and services that she receives now and many problems would have been overlooked or chalked up to me being a worried mom. I am SO grateful for her pediatrician in Mesa and I know that her being diagnosed, finding out her different health problems, receiving therapy from such a young age which has made such a difference, most of that is due to her pediatrician and I am so thankful that for her doctors in Mesa. Isabelle sees 8 different specialists and once when I was talking to Izzy's neurologist, she said that Isabelle's team of doctors were some of the best in the state and exactly who she would choose for her own kids.
3. The City - It is just nice living in a city. There is so much more available there than in a small town. So many things for Eli to do - water parks and splash pads galore, the train park, the Children's museum, the zoo, so many fun things nearby. And there was so much more available for Isabelle, so many services that I miss, therapists galore that came to our home to work with her, Raising Special Kids, an organization that helped with so many things, and many services for her that just aren't available here. I miss having such easy access to everything, especially now that I have to drive so far for anything.
4. Oreganos/Joe's Farm Grill - Yes, Oreganos and Joe's Farm Grill made their own spot on the list! Ah Oreganos, just thinking about your Boom Dip makes my mouth water. Joe's, your Fontina Burger made my day. I miss you both!
5. Sarah - Sarah was Isabelle's respite worker in Mesa and when I went back last week, she came to help me with Isabelle. I hadn't realized just how much I miss her! She has been amazing with Isabelle and is just so good to her and to our family. We have been looking for a respite worker here and honestly I have been a little scared of the people that keep interviewing. No one I would want to leave my baby with. I guess I was just expecting another Sarah to show up, but I don't think I am going to be that lucky here. I really miss having someone I trust so much and who is so responsible, caring, diligent and loving taking care of my sweet girl.
6. Our Ward - Our ward in Gilbert was amazing and I miss them a ton. They were so kind to our family. So many people participated in ward fasts for Isabelle, little children in the ward who could barely talk would come up to me and tell me how they were praying for Izzy. We had members come to our house at midnight to 3 AM to help with Isabelle when she was a newborn and I was trying to get sleep and navigate more doctors appointments than I ever thought possible. We had so much food brought to us, our fridge was overflowing. I even miss my calling, I love teaching Relief Society and I loved our Relief Society there - an amazing group of woman. Sunday lessons were always full of comments and I learned so much there. Such a great ward that taught us so much about kindness and service.
Just writing about all these things makes me miss Mesa so bad. It really became home to us and I really miss it. Although we get to go back often, it isn't the same (it would be nice to go back for more than just appointment after appointment). It's going to be a long few years here.
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