Going home…
The new phase of my life is in play. It’s been simmering, bubbling and percolating for over a year. What began as a spiritual quest eventually morphed into a shift in my priorities, which then turned into assessing what I really want from the remainder of my life and how and where I want to live it.
My husband and I made that decision several months ago, but as with everything, it took time to unfold. We had the vision, but had to lay the day to day groundwork in order for that vision to come to fruition.
It has. We are moving to northern Michigan to the 10 acre farm that I bought on a whim over a year ago. We are simplifying, downsizing, hippie-fying. I am going home.
The process has been joyful and wrenching. Exhilarating and terrifying. Ying/yang. 10,000 joys and 10,000 sorrows. Changes involve these kinds of feelings. Heck, all of life is pleasure and pain.
Michigan is where I grew up It’s where my 92 year-old parents still reside and our new home is within a day’s drive for most of my husband’s family. It was time to re-establish our family ties geographically and emotionally. We missed that closeness.
I’ve written about how I skated out the door at 19 for college and career and never looked back. I had things to do. Well, I did them and now it’s time to circle back. I think that most of us never really get the native dirt out from under our nails.
It’s a great lesson for me to look back over the past few years and see where the turning points may have been. The journey that began as a way to cope with my alcoholism has led me here. When you take the time for some introspection and exploration, it’s amazing what you may find if you’re listening and seeing and feeling. Try and be open to what bubbles up.
This blog has been an integral part of the process. I look back on past posts and see the turning points; the signposts of what was to come. Writing has been invaluable and your feedback and encouragement is greatly appreciated.
So, that is all for now. More to come. Probably very soon. And I’m stoked.
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Who is Jane London?
I’m a retired morning radio host, turned a serial communicator:)
Some topics that I like to explore are astrology, spirituality, growing older, growing wiser, pop culture, not-so-pop culture and the human condition.
My husband, two dogs and two cats currently live in the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, but that could change anytime as I tend to get restless.
I would love it if you’d sign up below for e mail alerts, pass along my blog to your friends and please comment on the posts; maybe it’ll lead to some great ideas for future posts.
Thanks to all of you who have signed up and have shared my posts. I really appreciate it.
Present Tense 
MANY congrats and all of the best to you and your family!
On a purely selfish note however, does this mean that someone else will be driving to work with me in the a.m., or will I have to plug in the Ipod? Yours is one of the few radio programs that is worth tuning in to.
You are a class act, and again, I wish you all the best in this!
Philip
Thanks for the note. I will remain on the show via the miracle of modern technology.
Jane
Congratulations! I think you’re going to have a fantastic time and of course, Chili and Junior will love the change of scenery. Good for you and best wishes to you and PC! You’re getting your “happily ever after”!
Good for you Jane, I’m so happy for you. Thank you for sharing your journey with all of us. I followed my dream to California from Colorado, so I somewhat know that compelling feeling for following that vision. Many blessings and good wishes sent to you and your husband and this new phase.
Jane, this is a wonderful decision and beautifully stated. I’m glad we won’t have to really miss you and I look forward to hearing your lovely, rural farm stories. Happy life!
Thanks so much. It was hard to write and hard to announce on the air. Next blog will explore saying goodbye:)
Jane
I am glad for you! You will be glad to closer to family, especially your parents. In the grand scheme of things that is what matters, being with loved ones. Now you can grow all that organic food, have some chickens for Junior to chase, and fight off those mosquitos that grow as big as birds up there! Congrats!
Linda,
Thanks so much for the note. All of those things are true! Especially the mosquitos:)
Jane
I’m going to be COMPLETELY selfish! Well not completely. I’m so happy for you! We have been through a lot, you and I, over the past few years and to see you come to this place gives me great hope 🙂 I will miss the fact that you are just up the road from me. And I will miss you… even though the miracle of technology will see that we are never too far apart. Well done, Jane. And though I will… as in I am right NOW, shed tears, I am truly happy for you!!
Thanks my friend! Lunch Friday!
J
Lunch Friday…. I’ll bring a tissue:)
That is great news. I think I share the sentiment about my fear in losing a radio friend, but I see that there is no need to worry. You are an amazing, entertaining and inspiring woman. I am glad to have had the privilege of listening to you and the rest of the morning crew. You deserve it and I hope it is more than you dream it will be. 😀
Ruben
Thanks for the note. You’re very kind. I will stay on the show and work from Michigan, so no need to be sad!!
Jane
I know that this change is a very good one for you and your family. Being close to family, no matter what your age, is always a good choice when you have that chance. Selfishly, I am sad to hear you are leaving. I have LOVED hearing the Jane report every morning and the daily ribbing you give Jeremy. Good luck and Godspeed.
Karin:
Thanks for the note. You will be very happy to hear that I’m not leaving the show. I will work from Michigan via the miracle of technology.
Jane
Jane, I am going through the same process you are just finishing… the desire to go back home, to one’s roots, to one’s own tribe… it’s been bubbling in me for some time now. But, as you said, commitments, jobs, friends play an important part in that decision. I have no idea when I will turn the page, but it’s good to know that I am not the only one having a hard time making that decision. I left home at 18. I also had a lot to do… my problem is that I don’t feel I have accomplished half of what I set out to do. Oh well… next. I have been happy most of my life, so I can’t complain. Gloria Estefan has a really great song call Mi Tierra (unfortunately, it’s in Spanish so you won’t be able to ‘understand’ the deep meaning of the lyrics… unless you speak Spanish), but in it she touches one’s soul by expressing the never ending call of our own land… Mi Tierra. I am from Peru and my Peru is calling. (Especially the food! lol)
Mary Ann;
None of us really accomplish what we ‘set out to do’. It’s okay. Let it go and form some new goals. Like rejoining your tribe.
Best of luck
J
Jane,
Congratulations to both of you on this brave and wise decision. Moving back to be close to your folks during these last few year of their lives is a wonderful selfless act. I know the comfort my mom gained by having us close. They only go through this once and the comfort you and your siblings will bring to them in the process will be its own reward. Another book for you to pick up: Graceful Exits.
b
Thanks Bruce. I appreciate your thoughts. I’ll check out the book.
J
Congratulations on what I’m sure has been an insightful journey. I find it so interesting that you and I have been on similar paths the past year. Mine started last June 1 when an unexpected one-night business trip took me to Chicago. After a year of thinking, crying and planning we will on July 19 say good-bye to Denver, where we’ve lived 14 years, and head back to Wisconsin. Like you, I ran from the Midwest and never in a million years did I think I’d ever return. It was my blog as well that led me to to realize that the call of family and home is stronger than I’d ever imagined it could be. It is terrifying and exciting. I look forward to continuing to hearing more about your journey!
Heidi
Our tribe calls:) Best of luck and I hope that the Lions beat the Packers!
Take care
Jane
Great exit blog from CO. See you in Michigan this summer, can’t wait to see the “Farm”
Clearly the outpouring of love and support is a testament to your ability to connect. With anyone at anytime. Their loss is truly our gain. Welcome Home. I hope I get to meet the Prince and the two paupers.
Thanks Tim! The prince is coming to the reunion with me. He doesn’t want to miss a party:)
J
Jane, I hope you post pictures of your wonderful new life. I too am leaving Colorado (part time), and will find a way to still tune in to the show. You guys are the only reason I turn on the radio in the morning! To hear you laugh and to hear your stories always makes me smile – like having a friend(s) sit in the bathroom talking to me while I get ready for the day! what a wonderful gift you have with your discussions, and what a wonderful gift you have given many in your blogs. I’m so very happy for you to start a new adventure! Blessings and happiness your way!
See you @ the “funny farm” in September!
Congratulations!! But you will be missed Having grown up in Michigan myself I get it! Best part is your families are close