I was asked to write a few words following my move. Here is how I am experiencing this new situation.

On July 25th, I left Gatineau to be closer to my family as well as the Oblates I had known in my youth. I chose to settle in Drummondville, and thanksto Réjeanne Allard I was able to find a small apartment in Jardin de la Cité.

Moving is no small feat. It takes courage and determination because you go through a whole range of emotions during every stage of the process: finding a new place to live, leaving behind a familiar environment, preparing your friends for this radical change, sorting through your belongings to decide what to keep and what to throw away, selling furniture, and so on. Ultimately, it's quite an adventure. It's like a hurricane that devastates everything in its path. I feel disoriented, I've lost my bearings, I've had to change my address, telephone number and email address. I also have to find a doctor in Drummondville. The one in Gatineau is a little too far away for consultations. I feel like an uprooted tree struggling to regain its balance.

I have moved several times in my life, but I was younger then, and often a single suitcase was enough to hold all my personal belongings. Given my respectable age, I found that this time around the adventure was more complicated.

I already love where I live now—it's a simple, pleasant neighbourhood with friendly people. There are lots of services available to us. I don't regret this decision at all.

I think it's important to move while you're still in good shape. I had time to prepare in advance, but even so, there are always little problems that can get on your nerves.

I know that adjusting to all these new things doesn't happen overnight. I try to take deep breaths and exercise patience, even if I sometimes lose my temper. I'm confident that things will get back to normal soon.

For the time being, I am in the process of adapting and trying to approach this with serenity and confidence.

A special hello to all of you!

Germaine Deslandes