THEY CALL ME MO

They’re calling me “Mo.”  It’s not my full name, but someone called me that this morning – on my first day here – and it stuck.  This is a pretty amazing place – friendly folks, a strong economy, good leaders – a utopia, no doubt.

When I moved here, I wasn’t sure what to expect.  I’d heard that the houses were very nice and the utilities and roads were excellent, and the climate was perfect.  Still, it will take some adjustment.

I came from a smaller town, so the larger population seemed frightening at first.  But then I realized that a big city is simply made up of smaller places – neighborhoods and communities with things in common. 

Large or small, having grown up in the country, I prefer city life.  Everything is closer and more convenient.  Neighbors right next door to chat with and compare notes about anything and everything.

     
I had to move on in without my family because they couldn’t come with me yet due to work and school and other activities and responsibilities.  My transfer will be hard on them at first, but I’m confident that they’ll adjust.  Plus it won’t be that much longer until they can join me here.  I’m looking forward to that – being together again with my wife and having my children and grandchildren visit.

     
I was pleasantly surprised to find out that many friends and a whole lot of relatives live on the other side of town; some of whom I didn’t know that they had moved. You know how hard it is to keep in touch with everyone you’d like to.  Oh, sure, I’d send Christmas cards some years, but not everybody did that anymore, so I’d lost touch with many of my buddies and aunts and uncles and cousins.

     
But that’s one nice thing about friendship – a good friend is always a good friend.  It just takes a hug or a handshake and it’s like you were never apart: a few minutes of catching up and it’s just like old times.  I haven’t been around to visit all of them yet, but I plan to as soon as possible.

     
I also need to find out what all is required in my new work assignment and how much overtime will be needed.  Most of my career has been spent in building trades, so I’m looking forward to how I can continue to contribute to the success of the organization.  I had been laid off a few times in the past when companies closed or were sold, but I’ve been told that this job is “permanent” – at least until I choose to change positions again.  That’s a big relief!

     
One of the best things here is the welcoming committee.  They made me feel right at home almost immediately.  They told me all about where everything is and how to get what I needed to set up housekeeping and where to get the best organic food and so forth.  I learned about transportation options and the parks and recreation facilities and libraries and museums.

And they said I could be on the committee to welcome other newcomers; which I’m considering, especially since I learned that one of my grandsons will be moving here in the not too distant future. It will be great to see him again. 

He’s only twenty-one, but an outstanding engineer already.  He played baseball in high school and college, so I hope there’s a team up here he can join. I always loved to see him pitch; although he was good at any position.  Actually, he was very good at every sport he tried; golf, bowling, tennis, swimming, or soccer – you name it, and he could do it.  I remember when he was very young he could throw a ball clear over the roof, when other kids his age could hardly throw at all.  

Sorry about that, just bragging a bit about my one of my grandkids.  He must have inherited his skills from his other grandfather, who was also an excellent athlete.  Although I didn’t have the opportunity to play sports when I was younger, I did enjoy hunting and fishing.

I was always a very good shot.  And I seemed to have a built-in compass, because I never, not once, got lost in the woods. God provided meat for our sustenance, and venison was one of my favorites.  But I also hunted partridge, pheasant, quail, and other small game.  And fishing was always fun too.  I hunted and fished with my father-in-law every chance I could.

In fact, her he comes now – along with a whole crowd of relatives.  It looks like a great family reunion is getting under way.  Fantastic!  And everybody looks so terrific.  Just the way I remembered them back on Earth, only healthier and more robust.

Oh, I failed to mention that I’m in Heaven.  A couple of angels brought me here after the cancer got me, and St. Peter welcomed me. Of course the highlight was seeing Jesus – you won’t believe how great that is until you come up here yourself!  Look me up when you get here: ask for Mo.

Copyright 2018 by Carl E Gustafson