life sustaining in tough times

A little over a year ago we moved from out of state to be near our grandchildren and children. It was the one request my older spouse made after the long isolation after covid. Initially we were unable to afford the move but with an unexpected gift on my mom's passing we saw a way to make this happen and that thought became a reality.

I was retirement age but still eager to and expected to get a job in my field part time after we got here. Unfortunately, that hope never materialized. In the meantime- everything, I mean everything was new to me, new doctors, new insurances, new environment and climate, new housing... I ended up realizing that besides being closer to our family- I was grieving. I was grieving the loss of everything else I had held dear to me.

Having gone through major moves before, I had an idea that this might be hard but the extra unexpected loss of my career- (entering retirement unexpectedly earlier than I planned) really threw me for a loop. I became ungrounded and was struggling.

I will have to say what helped me get thru that first painful year was exercising at the YMCA three times a week, being a volunteer even for two hours a week and getting books from my local libraries! Most weeks I went to 2-3 libraries (both city and county libraries). I was a voracious reader. At that time I needed to live even if it was vicariously through the characters in a book while waiting to piece my life back together.

I really don't know what I would have done without the good local libraries. It was also the place where I saw a book about how writing can help you process emotions when you are grieving and it led me to a lovely healing journey as I followed the directions and started to write reflections about my career. The writing was a way to honor my experience, my previous clients and how I showed up in this world to be part of others healing for 44+ years of my life. I wouldn't have thought to do that without getting that book from the library.

I am so grateful that the local libraries are a place where I can borrow books to my hearts content, attend an event, and in general expand my horizons. I credit it as one of the top 3 things which helped me pull thru that first year I was here.Thank you for all you do to keep our libraries open, clean, well stock and welcoming. This treasure of a resource really makes a difference in community members lives.

A grateful and loyal client.

Marianne from the San Carlos branch