It has been SOME week. My good friend and former cul de sac neighbor Kristina packed up her home and 5 kids to move to Colorado. (Her husband works for the same company as Mr. Décor.) It was hard for many reasons…reasons such as I can still remember hearing the doorbell ring and finding the now 9 year old Miss E. on my doorstep as a toddler, wanting to come in…more than once. Or that the last two kids were born at home and I saw them very soon after they were born and have watched them grow ever since. In all of life’s triumphs and trials Kristina’s family has been there for the past 10 years. To now suddenly not have them all just a phone call away is….strange.
On Wednesday with the moving truck in the driveway I brought happy meals for the kids. Each one gave me a lovely squeeze as I came in the door. With each squeeze the lump in my throat grew bigger.
In life, as a military wife, I have had my fair share of goodbye’s. Some were forever and I wondered if Alfred Lord Tennyson was right…
By nature I am rather quiet, reserved. It takes me awhile to let my guard down and allow people in to my heart. But once they are there, they are there for good. For all the tears shed this week I have to say the joy received has absolutely been worth the sadness I have felt in the past and am now experiencing.
I can’t help wonder “Does God feel the same way about us?”
I say “Yes.” After all He never wants to say a final goodbye but rather “Welcome home.”
“In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” ~ John 14:2-4
Laura
It is so sad to leave great friends. I know this as a child. We moved 14 times when I was a child. As an adult I lived in our first house as a married woman for 18 years and that was really sad to leave friends and the memories. This house we have lived for just 16 years. Now it is the good neighbors that have moved away and new friends to take their place. Life is a journey and for you it is another one to explore.
Laura I understand what you are going through and know you will win over wonderful new friends in your new home. It is difficult though when dear friends are across the country or world from us. With the best ones, though, we always pick up right where we left off!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
Sniff, sniff….I've already started crying.
Yes, it is very hard! And, now you are going to move even farther away from me! Sniff, sniff! Thank Goodness for phones and airplanes! Love you my BFF! 🙂
I agree that these situations are indeed hard! I think that as we grow older, “loss” affects us more ~ at least that is true for me. I have a dear friend that is moving to FL soon and I've already shed some tears.
xo
Pat
It is SO hard to say goodbye to GOOD friends who happen to be neighbors too. I know you will keep in touch. I loved this post, it touched my heart too.
How odd. I find myself crying with you. I am sitting here with tears running down my face.
I loathe goodbyes, and thankfully haven't had to say many of them due to moves – just lost to life.
I wish your friend and her family well in this new adventure…and do hope you can go out and visit her one day in the not-to-distant future. Colorado is gorgeous.
Hugs.
New adventures for all of you. I know you will really miss her.
Hugs to you all and good luck with all the new adventures that await your family and hers.