Old Roots and New Beginnings

If you're reading this, then you know my blog has undergone some changes. I loved my old blog title and blog URL, but it has run its course, and we all make sacrifices for those we love. Quackgrass has been on my mind lately. Maybe because I have a painting of Quackgrass hanging on my wall, so it is always in sight, or maybe it was because I read to Steve the beautiful paper my sister, Natalie, wrote for me about Quackgrass. Why Quackgrass? Because that's who I am and always have been ever since I was little. My dad nicknamed me Quackgrass and my other sister, Dayna, Petunia. As a small child, I didn't realize the significance behind these names, but looking back now my dad's sense of humor is dripping all over them. Dayna is sweet, kind, tender, graceful and beautiful: like the Petunia flower. However, I wasn't like my wonderful sister who as she ages only lives up to the name. I was a bit more well, Quackgrassy. I followed my dad around like a puppy dog, so that whenever he turned around he was stumbling over me, I was into everything and I was stubborn and enjoyed being more of a nuisance than a help during chores: not unlike the Quackgrass. Considered a noxious weed, this grass is everywhere, it is stubborn, strong and usually a nuisance rather than helpful. I grew up with this name, and at times I was jealous of my sister's sweet name and demeanor and ashamed of mine. It took some years, and different perspective to realize being Quackgrass isn't all that bad.

So, as I begin a new part of life with getting married, moving to Boston temporarily, graduating and moving to Boston permanently, I'm letting a lot of things go. I will say goodbye to Provo, in fact, I'll say goodbye to my beloved west. I'll lose the luxury of living only 3 hours away from home and from breathing in the wonderfully crisp, somewhat dairy air of Bear Lake, and in return I'll be blessed with a loving husband, a secure job, the busy city and living only 2 hours away from family.

Like the Quackgrass, my future life has some drawbacks, but it also has some great things to come, and I couldn't be happier for them to come. So, here's to my old roots and my better beginnings.