Lynne’s Story

Chris asked me if I’d like to contribute a story to his bike traverse across Italy. I am honored to, as Chris has a heart of gold. We had many a fun bike ride adventure together in Germany. He also threw me the most unforgettable birthday party of my life. But that’s a whole other story. Here is my 30 day piece for Chris.

I was the not-quite empty nester. My oldest son, Patrick, was off at college at CSU. My daughter, Kristine, was about to graduate high school. It’s the time many parents dread – when your daily life shifts and the house begins to echo with silence. So, I flew the nest too.

So, I flew the nest too.

It wasn’t a sudden decision. It formed slowly, shaped by circumstance – and my choice to turn lemons into lemonade.

A surprise cut to my art teaching position slashed my job in half. That pushed me to sell my post-divorce dream home near Vail, Colorado. I signed a rent-to-own deal, trusting in the good of people like I always had. But after one payment, they stopped coming. My renters became squatters I couldn’t remove, and I lost the home to foreclosure.

As if that weren’t enough, my heart was broken too. The man I was madly in love with – the one my kids had welcomed into our lives – ended things. I was left reeling: broken heart, broken finances, and a trashed home.

But somehow, I dug deep and discovered another path. What pulled me through was the compassion of friends, the strength of my amazing kids, and the healing power of running, cycling, skiing, yoga, mantras, and spiritual practice. I focused on my divine path – one step at a time.

But somehow, I dug deep and discovered another path.

That path took me far beyond what I thought I was capable of. I accepted a teaching job abroad, in the seaside city of Izmir, Turkey. Kristine flew to the bustling city of Istanbul to work as an au pair. Patrick stayed in college, with our toy Australian shepherd in tow. Three cats re-homed. Horse sold. So many goodbyes.

The culture shock was massive at first – adjusting from the quiet mountains of Colorado to the energetic rhythm of Turkish life. I remember sitting on the plane, after waving goodbye to my kids, my friends, my little dog – and feeling my stomach drop lower than it ever had before. What am I doing?

What I was doing, it turns out, was following a divine path – one that led me into ten years of life abroad, teaching in international schools across different countries and continents. Ten years of exploring, adapting, learning, and growing in ways I never imagined possible. The world opened up to me – and to my kids – in beautiful, surprising ways.

The world opened up to me – and to my kids – in beautiful, surprising ways.

If I hadn’t pushed past my comfort zone, I would have missed it all.

So I encourage you: dig deep. Align with your inner self and your spirit. Follow your heart. Follow your intuition. Don’t let anyone else’s fear hold you back from your dreams. Live your life in full, vibrant color. Share the rainbow within you – with everyone around you.

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From Lynne: I currently live in California; artist, teacher, casual athlete, recent proud Grandma. I have a heart split forever between Europe and the United States. I live a life full of gratitude for meeting people like Chris while living and traveling abroad.

Chris’ note: I met Lynne in Starnberg, Germany in 2019 as we were preparing to begin working together at Munich International School. We shared a ton of laughs that year and many fun cycling adventures together. Her “Covid” birthday will always live large in my memory! Here are two pics that capture those memories.