I’ve arrived in Chicago; crowded plane over this morning but I got a solid eight hours work done and was feeling pretty bouyant on landing. I checked into the hotel and changed, then met the client group for a late lunch. They were local, one had moved around a bit, they were interested that I live in the Netherlands. “Why?” is always the first question; “When are you moving back?” is always the second.
Maybe I need a better answer to the first question.
But, seriously, I’m getting tired of the second. People generally live somewhere other than where they were born or grew up, and have gravitated to their current residence for a job, a neighborhood, or a lifestyle. Yet, nobody asks when they are leaving. Living globally, though, it’s always a question.
It may be heightened by my age and circumstances, I suppose. If I moved over on a job assignment, then I’d naturally return when it was over. If I was having a midlife crisis, maybe I’d have come to my senses. If I was serious about my patron, I’d move closer to his location.
Twice this past week, clients have suggested that our relationship eventually depends on my willingness to move. My next ‘o kin asked it when I was at the reunion. My corporate parent insisted on it before I left; even the Dutch were confused that I wouldn’t want to go back when the division was closed. (My landlady has told me to move within 6 months, but that’s different).
Seriously: I’m not moving. ‘really. I like it here; I’ll make things work for everyone.
(Oh, and the answer to the first question is “I like the Dutch, the balance in life and the opportunities: I’ve set up my business here and my connections are all local now. It’s been a great place to live and, with the kids grown, it’s been a wonderful choice.” I wonder if that is how Gauguin talked about Tahiti?)