Thank you so very much for such a lovely and thoughtful response. It is much appreciated :)
I have been to the UK many times through the years and have traversed all over what I have always felt to be my "spiritual home." I had not heard of Lavendon but it looks quite lovely from the google search. Honestly, if I had to think of a "typical" English type place, for me, it would most definitely be the Cotswolds. I fell in love with it immediately when I first saw it and in fact, even rented a cottage and stayed in Bourton on the Water when there in 2018. It was fabulous!!!
As for running away from my mind...well, that's something I've tried to do most of my life (haven't we all?!!) but I think I have a clear eyed view of what to expect, although as you rightly say here, I am sure that there are things and people that I will miss tremendously, even much more than I can know and/or anticipate even right now, as well.
This is a serious question that I have asked myself repeatedly: WHY am I doing this? There's not just one simple answer but rather a series of answers that have culminated in this decision. I have not made it lightly at all. Am I scared? Of course, I am.
But I have good friends there and I won't be alone.
Also, it's time for a REAL change in my life.
If the world does indeed go up in flames, as it often now feels like most days, I think, "At least I'll be in a place that I love with people that I love" you know? That counts for something, I think.
Also, I've been offered a place at the Advanced Studies University of London graduate program in "Understanding and Securing Human Rights" and I may/may not do that, as it will mostly depend on if I can secure a scholarship and/or funding, but I'm ready for a REAL change in my life and this might be one way of doing this. The thing is, I can't possibly KNOW with any real certainty, of just how I will feel once I make this move; I only know that I need to at least TRY. So, that's kind of where I'm at right now emotionally and mentally with all of this. I would love to keep in touch and perhaps when I am there by the end of this year, we could meet up for a drink at Gordon's Wine Bar (yes, I've been there and loved it)...anyway, thanks so much from a girl across the pond for your time :)
