Moving out of the country is a big decision to make. The pro/con list can and will look very different for every person, every family. One of the biggest “cons” on our list was being so far from our families.

No one enjoys getting a phone call about a loved one that has gotten into an accident, is in the hospital, or even just had a bad day. I got two of those calls in the same week. This is exactly what I feared and dreaded…being so far away when the ones I love need help. The good news is that everyone will be ok.

Photo credit: Kevin's Emergency Photo Services ~ Model: MOM

My Mom fell off her horse on Tuesday morning and was in surgery to get twelve screws in her ankle by Tuesday afternoon. I got a super-sad message from her, which didn’t reveal any information, just the dreaded, “Please call me when you can.” Thanks to critical information from my Dad, and some Google searching, I was quickly calling her hospital room….from Germany. Holding back tears, I took a deep breath, put a smile on my face and after her feeble “Hello”, I said, “Hi Mom. Wie geht’s?” (How are ya?)  She is taking German lessons at the community college, and I could hear an immediate change in mood as she replied, “Nicht so gut, nicht so gut.” (not so good). Smiles for all.

My older sister was quickly in route back to my home town, and was soon updating me with daily calls or e-mails. Unfortunately one of the updates said, “I was going back to the house and saw an ambulance. It was Dad. He fell off.” This was Sunday. He had fallen off my horse and hit his head pretty bad. I was now calling my Dad’s hospital room. My mom answered and she told me, “I am here with der Vater (the father) and der Bruder (the brother).” “Oh yes”, I told her, “mein Vater (my Father) and mein Bruder (my brother).” Smiles for all.

Both my sisters and brother rallied for the cause, each choreographing and directing the barn chores and Thanksgiving festivities according to their personal strengths. I, unfortunately, could only listen from afar. However, thanks to technology and the cheerful laughter of my family, I didn’t feel so far away. I made it through a big “con” and it wasn’t so bad!

I love my family because they are committed to each other. Sometimes they are committed to giving each other a hard time and making each other’s lives a real pain, but they know that family is family. They know that we need to stick together, no matter how far apart. Without their love and support, I wouldn’t have the courage to live so far away and tackle each “con” as it presents itself.

One of my favorite lines from Pearl Jam: “I’m a lucky man, to count on both hands, the ones I love.”

I’m a lucky girl.