Wanna know a secret?
Of course you do.
In the history of that question, there’s only been a handful of people who’ve said no, and we both know they were lying.
If you’ve been reading my words for longer than a year, know me in real life, or have ever exchanged an email with me, then this secret is no surprise to you.
Cindy and I don’t have a son and daughter named Max and Mia – our matching set of mini-me’s are actually named Ethan and Haley.
Pen names are masks that make it easy to unmask our true selves, and back when I first started writing online I wanted one for each of us. I was Writer Dad, Cindy was Daisy, and Ethan and Haley were Max and Mia.
Yet there came a time in my writing when referring to Cindy as Daisy no longer felt honest, as though I was keeping truth at an arm’s length for no apparent reason. Two years after my first post, the pen names of my children seem like old clothes, threadbare and out of style.
We are opening new doors daily, but the excitement of this new life doesn’t match the old names, so I will leave them back in California and remember them fondly.
Ethan and Haley started school this week.
Though the academic calendar doesn’t begin until after Labor Day in Long Beach, neither child felt shortchanged by the brevity of their summer – both leapt up the stairs to their classrooms on the first day like true believers on Christmas morning.
They are eager, excited, and well deserving of the new environment that will feed their hungry minds and germinate their blooming brains.
Like Ethan and Haley, Cindy and I feel instantly at home, though 2,350 miles removed from the roots of our previous life. The natural transition is quite amazing, considering the immediacy of our move.
But Ohio isn’t a temporary harbor. It is our new home, and I feel my happy spirit now dangling its legs at the lip of a deep contentment that was previously just a pipe dream.
I feel overwhelming gratitude for this chapter in our family’s history, and since being grateful and keeping the feeling inside is a lot like wrapping a present and keeping it hidden on the top shelf of the closet, I want to give heartfelt thanks to every person who has helped our family along the way, championed our good fortune, or wished us well in our travels. Without you this would have been difficult, with you it’s been wonderful.
But I do miss home.
Which gives Writer Dad a perfect new identity. This site is now the bridge between our old life and the new one; my words the planks of thought that will remind me where we were and lay the days of where we’re going.
So now you know my secret. It isn’t a big one, but it is the final barrier between us. And we both know a well built bridge has no barricades to impede the crossing.
About Sean Platt
I am grateful for our old life and ready to embrace our new life. Let's knock it out of the ballpark baby!
You said it, Love. :)
Enjoy these times Sean – they are indeed special.
Alex
Thanks, Alex. I appreciate the well wishing.
Have a spectacular Monday!
I hope that this new venture and life in Ohio is everything that you want it to be for you and your family.
Winter should prove interesting. Our daughter and her little family went from Texas to Wisconsin 3 1/2 years ago. The grandkids have really seemed to enjoy the seasons and their new life in the north.
I've never seen four seasons before, so I'm really looking forward to it. I know it will be cold, but I'm excited to see the leaves fall and the snow follow. The children are SUPER excited to play in the snow, so that should take away some of the pain of a cold winter.
When it comes to weather, I admit to being pretty spoiled. But I'm highly adaptable and looking forward to the change.
Oh thank heavens you've outed your kids names because I lived in fear, just sheer terror that I would accidentally write the wrong name in the comments here.
You know I wish you guys all the best in Ohio and am so glad you are that much closer to me!
Always great to see a post from you Sean, whether it emanates from California or Ohio. Good luck to you, Cindy, Haley and Ethan as you embark on this next chapter in your adventurous lives. I look forward to your next update.
Sean and fam,
I had a duck named Max when I was growing up. That was his real name…
I didn't blog about him…but then…blogs didn't exist back then…
Very exciting times for all of YOU!! New school, new city…and under it all…the same great family…truly living life!! Woo-Hoo!!!
Awwww… thanks Susan. I'm feeling much more settled now, so I think the updates should come a lot more regularly. I'm thinking about once per week or so. I already know what I'm writing about next! As much as I love the state so far, their Mexican food leaves a LOT to be desired. :)
Thanks Lance!
I think you should blog about Max, for realz. I want to know all about Max the Duck.
Hey, that sounds like a children's show!
Ha, that's funny. I figured one day I'd slip, so I might as well do it with intention!
Yup, I'm loving the proximity to the entire team. It. Is. Awesome.
And now we HAVE to make a get together happen. Wavy Davy is coming up the first week of November. Care to beat him?
An Old Irish Blessing:
May love and laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy that long endures.
May all life's passing seasons
bring the best to you and yours!
Lori
I'm really happy for you that everything is coming together and the new environment sounds beautiful. I'm not going to lie, though, and pretend that I don't miss all of you terribly. Give Haley and Ethan a big hug and kiss from Grammy and hopefully I'll see them again before too much time goes by. xo mom
Awww….
I love it!
Might need to come back later and add one of my own. :)
We miss you too, Grammy!
Load Skype up on your computer. Now that we have working Internet, we can have a Grammy Night on Thursday.
Love YOU!
: >)
I wish you well in this next stage of your lives. One day you'll find that you no longer miss home…because you are there.
Shade and Sweetwater,
K
Awwww, Kyddryn!
Does feel like home already in many ways, especially for Cindy. She grew up on a tobacco farm just a few miles south in Kentucky. The locusts at night remind her of home.
Welcome to your new home Sean.
There is something so refreshing about throwing the doors open wide and letting in all that fresh air and authenticity.
Soon, very soon, Ohio will paint itself in flaming reds, crisp oranges and sunny yellow, all wrapped up in brilliant blue skies. Pumpkins will look as if they are taking over the world.
I smile just thinking about your first autumn there.
Hey Sean, a glorious move, and a glorious reveal. Somehow though, Ethan really seemed more like a Max – surely just an outsiders perspective. Wishing you all success and happiness. BTW, like the return to a more 'writerish' feel to your writerdad blog. Best, Trina
Self-awareness is a great thing — maybe the best of things. (Just a slight variation on Andy Dufresne's best quote.)
Blooming brains … I like that.
Best wishes on your new chapter in life, and having all the cards on the table, must feel good.
I can't wait for Fall!
Everyone we meet says they can't believe we traded California for Ohio, as they immediately apologize for the coming winter, but I'm really looking forward to seeing all four seasons for the first time in my life!
It definitely feels like home (even if we're still waiting on our furniture!)
:)
Hi Trina!
Ethan is TOTALLY an Ethan, though he is definitely a bit of Max as well. :)
Thanks on the site compliment, too. It's Dave's usual magic, and wonderful as always. I like the writerish feel as well, and the white space. Looks better than it's ever been!
Have a great day, Trina!
It might just be the best thing since it opens so many other doors. Self awareness helps you deal with everyone around you, in addition to yourself, in the best way possible.
Feels GREAT. Better than expected and sooner than I thought possible! :)
Hi Sean, Cindy, Ethan and Haley – welcome home – enjoy the new surroundings, new school, new friends .. and same old ones here .. excellent – and hope the furniture arrives shortly – wonderful that Grammy is in touch! She'll miss you .. but with our techie possibilities now – it won't seem quite so without communication .. happy days .. Hilary
Yeah, we're waiting for Grammy to download Skype so we can have a face-to-face!!
Should be loads of fun. :)