When I was actively in the AA/Alanon program in Houston in the late 70s and early 80s, they used to talk alot about "geographic cures" and how they were not advisable as steps to take to quit drinking or obsessing about the drinker. They defined a geographic cure as a move, a new job, a new partner, any major new life change really.

With this in my background, I really had to examine my decision to move from Dallas to the DC area after Sherry's death. Although I had lately (over the past few years) grown weary of living in Dallas, I was fully aware that I was making this move, in part, specifically to have a geographic cure.

Now I know that it doesn't matter where I live in this world...I'm still going to grieve for and miss my sister.

But on the other hand, I also know that people who have been able to pick up and move without a plan (job and permanent place to live) have always inspired me and I've admired them.

I had never made such a bold step, and if not now, when?

So far, I'm not looking back at my decision at all. Of course, I could be at the honeymoon phase of my plan (what plan?).

But on the other hand, as I sat on the couch with my 3 grandchildren tonight and watched an animated Christmas show with them and saw the magical looks on their faces, I couldn't help think that I was in the right place.

And as I heard just before bed from my son-in-law R that my daughter's "water broke" (she's 9 months pregnant with #2) this afternoon so it'll be any time now that she'll give birth, it just seems right to be where I am, geographic cure or not.