How Do You Find Home in Constant Change? Can You Carry it With You?

Dear Henry,

Life is full of twists and turns. Just when I think I know what's coming next, the road bends in a completely unexpected direction.

For years, my husband worked in change and acquisitions, which meant we moved often—sometimes right when I thought we were finally settling down. But in 2022, everything shifted. He stepped away from that world, and we made the heartfelt decision to stay in Salem, Virginia.

That was the plan, at least until August 18, 2025.

A phone call changed everything. Fish received a remarkable job offer and accepted a new role, once again in change and acquisitions. And just like that, the moving boxes came back out, and we found ourselves preparing for another chapter on the road. Our first stop? Springdale, Arkansas.

I've spent years creating and envisioning homes, each one a labor of love. From Salt Lake City, Utah, to Denver, Colorado, to Bella Vista, Arkansas, to Tulsa, Oklahoma, and now in Salem, Virginia, I've poured my heart into designing gardens, choosing colors, and creating spaces that reflect our journey. Though we haven't stayed long enough in any one place to truly "keep" a home, each one has been a meaningful part of the story.

However, this summer brought its own challenges and reflections, especially after dealing with the hip injury and now facing another move. I've found myself wondering if maybe home isn't always a place that stays still. Maybe, for me, it's something I carry with me. And perhaps the Library of the Apocalypse really is meant to look like a bookmobile.

Even with the constant motion, the roots we planted remain in Salem. It's still my permanent residence, and my heart is still deeply connected to my work with The Friends of Old Lick and the lives and stories of those laid to rest there. That commitment hasn't changed; it's just going to take creativity to carry it with me.

Life hasn't gone the way I imagined—but it's full of possibility. There's something beautiful about embracing the unexpected, and I'm learning to hold onto what matters most, no matter where the road leads.

xoxo a.d. elliott

P.S. You can check out the YouTube video of the journey here:https://youtu.be/unN71r4dVGc

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a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Springdale, Arkansas 

In addition to her travel writings at www.takethebackroads.com, you can also read her book reviews at www.riteoffancy.com and US military biographies at www.everydaypatriot.com

Her online photography gallery can be found at shop.takethebackroads.com

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