My front door

I'm moving soon. It's sort of difficult. I've gotten used to living around other people, going to church with them almost every day, eating lunch with them almost every day, seeing them around, hanging out with my neighbors regularly, and sharing so many similar things about our lives. Of course, maybe if I lived here longer, all that would get stifling. But after nine months, it's still really great.

This is the stuff I keep by my front door. Just a collection of objects, mostly. I was inspired by my hall neighbors, who have a beautiful entry space (see below). I keep meaning to give that stick to Pax, my downstairs neighbor's dog.

I'll be living on my own next year. But maybe there will be other neighbor dogs. I've decided to stay in Chicago, so it won't be too far away. I think I'm afraid of all the newness and the unknown. When I moved to Seabury, I had already taken classes here - I knew people already. Next year is still such a blank. I think my growing stress about where to go is founded in fear that my next move will be much much harder. Of course, there will be new neighbors, who may also be kind and interesting people. But I don't know what it will be like to live, most likely, in the suburbs, with few young, single people. Much less young single Christians. I hope I won't be too lonely! A professor once said that my congregation would keep me company... but I'm not quite sure it's the same thing.