13 Comments
User's avatar
Scott Gilbertson's avatar

Hi, Karena ~ I think we're just finishing (what will probably be) or most memorable reEntry story. After seven years in Europe, we've retired, moved back to the US, and built a house. Once a builder is finished with a house, there's still a surprisingly many things left to do (driveways, gutters, more flat work). We've been busy enough with that so that I don't think we've yet settled on our "new normal." Hopefully soon!

Expand full comment
Karena's avatar

That is quite the reentry, Scott! And have fun "becoming" retired.

Expand full comment
Matan Zinger's avatar

Such an inspiring story Karena. Love that you all have a private Substack to maintain your shared language!

Expand full comment
Karena's avatar

I cannot believe the synchronicity in both of us posting family travel related posts the same week: yours just embarking and mine reflective 20 years later.

Clayton Christiansen was a great way to tlak about the investment we make in our families.

https://open.substack.com/pub/94040/p/what-disruption-theory-means-for?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=67gs5

Expand full comment
Rick Lewis's avatar

Horray on your continued pursuit of this project Karena. Love the visual timeline. It ought to go right on the cover of the book. It really piques interest. Too bad we hadn't met in 2004 when you were in Vancouver!

Expand full comment
Karena's avatar

Ahh, I was a completely different person then Rick! I would not have understood all the story telling in the way I have come to appreciate it now!

You must have some great stories of reEntry. Care to spill the beans?

Expand full comment
Rick Lewis's avatar

reEntry?

Expand full comment
Karena's avatar

You know? Times when you have had to step out of one way of being, and enter (or re-enter) another?

Expand full comment
Rick Lewis's avatar

Oh my gosh, about 1000 incidents of that. Here's one about a time I had to do that with another person at the same time, concerning the US/Canada border. https://www.honestlyhuman.com/p/was-she-going-to-turn-me-in

Expand full comment
Leo Ariel's avatar

What a wonderful gift. Thank for sharing this experience with us. The “reentry” and “what happens after” moments are curious

Expand full comment
Karena's avatar

How did you handle the similar moment after your year of living in one country at a time, Leo?

Did it stand out to you? Or did you just roll with it?

Or is it just something parents worry about?

Expand full comment
Leo Ariel's avatar

Yeah, it always felt like the logical next thing to do.

I'm curious about the process of *constructing a narrative* based on *historical experiences*?

And how it relates to identity.

Expand full comment
Kathy Karn's avatar

"Change is hard. Maybe that’s why I think about it so much". Love this reflection Karena!

Expand full comment