The house on the hill

Recently a good friend asked me if we ever thought about moving.  It's a good question.

We live rather rural.  We have neighbours but most of them are seasonal.  The closest, some what adequate, grocery store is at least 15 minutes away.  The kids go to school and participate in dance and karate 30 minutes away.  Shopping and a wider variety of recreational opportunities are an hours drive.  My team of doctors just a three hour road trip.

Still, the answer was pretty simple. No.

Later on, as always, I reflected. 

Why not move? 

Would our life not be so much simpler if we lived closer to the village? a city?
I would no longer be so isolated.
I would regain some independence.
I could walk everywhere and not depend on others to drive me. 
I would be closer to my family and have more access to my friends.
I could take a taxi to the grocery store and local medical appointments.
John would have far less responsibility and burden.

Same question. Same answer - no. 
We would be miserable!

When John and I moved in together, 17 years ago, we began designing floor plans for the house we would someday build.  A lot of thought, time, energy and dreams went into those tentative plans.
Nine years later the foundation was poured.  Today its our reality, our home.

The land we built on is a mix of pasture and forest.  It borders on a a quiet road, more pasture and a large beaver pond.  Today we are still designing floor plans.  This time for green houses, bunkies and barns.  We dream about gardens, aquaponics and turkeys. We talk endlessly about sustainability and homesteading.  Of leaving something behind for future generations.  BLACKberry Fields.

Pretty picture isn't it? 

Even prior to getting sick I claimed to be born in the wrong century.  I love nothing more than hanging laundry on the clothes line, reading a great book, finding a great new recipe and digging in the garden.  I lose time daily watching the chickens and talking to the pigs.  The place is slower but there is still plenty to do.  Lots to keep my brain active and body alive.

I don't deny that moving would make life more convenient sometimes.
However, I don't think we could ever trade quality of life for convenience. 
I have probably said it here before but for the first time  I feel like we are living very authentically. 

I am only as isolated as I want or need to be.
I am still very independent but I have to be more creative in order to achieve it.
Even if I lived in town I wouldn't be able to walk everywhere unless I had a shadow.  It's not safe for me to travel solo in the event I lose the use of my leg or my sight.
I have close friends that live near by. We also have a steady stream of people who visit our little farm to purchase eggs and visit the animals.
Family can find me.
John willingly gets us everywhere we need to go.
We have learned to ask for help when we need to.

This is what real looks like.