What We Love about Wilmington, a Tough Good-Bye

Mike and I have lived in Wilmington for nearly 10 years. It is the only home our 2 boys have every known. In a few short weeks, we move out of Wilmington to begin a new life in Saratoga Springs NY. This comes as a bittersweet opportunity and one that has been on my mind for several months.

About this time last year, May 2012, my husband was beginning a grueling job transition. What we thought would be smooth was rocky. What we thought would be rocky was smooth. Truly one of the longest years of my life. We had no idea how long this would take or where we would land. Although we tried to stay in the local area, it was not meant to be. By November it was clear we would be moving out of Wilmington.

As I look back on this year and the 9 prior years, I recount so many blessings and learnings we gained.  We have always enjoyed living here. The smiling faces of so many that cross our path regularly; the teams at CVS, Market Basket, Panera, Staples (miss this one since I work from home), Carmine at The Cleaner Spot, Sheri and Paint n’Play, the school staff at Shawsheen and West, the library (which I just left with probably our last book loans) and of course Dunkin Donuts (always a favorite in our house).

As this challenge unfolded and our Wilmington friends understood our transition, I can’t tell you how much more I loved our town. Our friends checked in regularly, provided encouragement and support.  All kinds of support too, not only inviting us for dinner but even offering to pay the bill for our boys’ registration fees for their sports. We have been truly blessed by living in Wilmington these 10 years. Amazing neighbors, gifted teachers, capable and safe bus drivers, smiling postal delivery, fellow families to laugh and cry with who loved and coached our boys.

Even after Mike landed his new role in NY in January, we have been cared for by our community. Our family has been separated for almost 5 months, as he worked his new job and I stayed here to sell the house. It has not been easy but it could have been so much worse. At least in a few weeks we will all be together as a family again.

Mike and I believe that relationships are the center of life. They are what makes the world go around. Without deep encouraging and life changing relationships life would be empty. We have found some of those life altering relationships here.

Although I leave Wilmington a little heartbroken at the friendships that could go so much deeper I look forward to the new challenge and excitement of discovering another town’s joy and giving spirit. For over the past 10 years I have learned and most prominently this past year, that diving into your community and reaching out is a gift worth seeking.  Women of Wilmington, the Food Pantry, and so many, exemplify this spirit. May you be blessed abundantly in your love of this community.

There is one other aspect that I don’t want to forget to share. It wasn’t just our friends that carried us through. I am a woman of faith and though it was tested it was not proven wrong. My faith in God and his calling on our lives was reinforced through this past year. I can’t talk about such a dynamic change without talking about our faith. It is who we are and those that know us, know that.

So I say to all of you, you know who you are, THANK YOU for creating 10 years of blessed memories and friendships here in Wilmington MA. We will never forget.