Connecting with My Roots Before I Spread My Wings
Three weeks ago, I moved into my grandparents’ farmhouse. The house, which brings to mind so many fond memories from my childhood, will be my home base while I travel and work as a digital nomad over the coming year.
The farmhouse in Forest City, NC
When my grandparents were alive, I remember feeding the cows, collecting vegetables, climbing trees, and playing softball in the backyard. There was always a big smile when you arrived, a home-cooked meal on the table, and plenty of love to go around. I consider the farm to be part of my roots. It was a place that always felt like home.
My move to the farm officially makes me an empty nester. My youngest child, Cameron (they/them) who just graduated from high school, is living with their dad for the next few weeks until we make the drive to New York where they’ll be attending the Culinary Institute of America in the fall.
As you can imagine, I’ve been going through some pretty significant life changes. It has been a whirlwind over the last two years. I separated from my husband after 27 years of marriage, we sold the house that we raised our kids in, I became an empty nester, and I moved to a new town. These transitions haven’t been easy, but they have given me the opportunity to think about my future and envision the life I want to create for myself.
This coming year of being a digital nomad is something I’ve been dreaming about. Both of my kids will be in college next year. They will be spreading their wings and exploring who they are and what they want for their future. My hope is that they will still feel connected to their family roots even though where we gather going forward will look a bit different. While they are both safely tucked away in their college experiences, I’ll be taking the opportunity to spread my wings as well.
My plan is to live and work in the following places over the coming year:
On the farm in Forest City, NC July – August 2024
Catskills in NY after taking youngest to college September 2024
Merida, Mexico October 2024
Forest City and Charlotte, NC November – December 2024
Cuenca, Ecuador January – March 2025
Forest City, NC Early April, 2025
Roanoke, Virginia (for my son’s graduation) mid-April – mid May, 2025
Back to the farm in Forest City, NC mid-May – whatever comes next
I will still be working as a Health Coach and seeing clients remotely from each of these locations over the coming year. I’m looking forward to exploring new cuisines, immersing myself in new cultures, and bringing back new experiences to share with you. I hope you’ll follow my adventure on Instagram @merritt.tracy.health.coach and on Facebook.
My mother has an embroidered quote from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe in her house that reads, “Children only need two things from their parents: roots and wings”. I hope I’ve given my kids the roots they need as they spread their wings, just like my parents and grandparents gave me the roots I needed and the desire to spread my wings and take on new adventures.