Sunday, June 7, 2009

Tying Up the Loose Ends

This has been a week filled with farewells and final moments. We had Gracie's birthday party last Saturday, which allowed us to say goodbye to our friends. It's been a long time since we were all together...Kenneth and Kellye, Chris and Ali, Mike and Heather...with all of the kids running around under foot and having a great time. We enjoyed visiting with everyone and being able to open our home one last time before the move.


Then Friday my friends from work took me out after work for lunch and to hang out. We went to Chuy's (mmmmmm) around 1pm and didn't leave until almost five! They gave me an incredibly generous gift card that enabled me to purchase a Kindle 2 from Amazon. I can't wait to get it next week!!! It was so much fun to be with these women that I have come to love and respect. It's not often that we are given the opportunity to work with a group of people with whom we can also be friends. These women that work closely with every day...Mary Ann, Linda, Sam, Mary, Gayle, Janet and Chanda...make getting up in the morning worth it. I never dread going to work and I am constantly laughing and being encouraged while I am there.


These women have seen me through my pregnancy with Grace and her birth, the deaths of Gramps and Uncle Tellius, and all the ups and downs life has thrown at me in between. They have been faithful to tell me when to mind my own business, and when I have stuff stuck in my teeth after lunch. I count each one as my friend, and know that no matter how far away I may move that they will always be there for me. I've never been so sad to leave a job, knowing that I'll probably never be able to recreate that sort of perfect workplace chemistry in my lifetime. But it was good while it lasted, and I have the best memories of them to pull out from time to time and revisit when I am homesick.


Then Saturday we had 22 of Trevor's colleagues over for a party so he could say goodbye to them. It was sort of a joke because the name of the party was "Let's All Experience Trevor's Daily Commute". For those of you familiar with the Houston area, we live about 45 miles east of Houston, and Trevor works at the Beltway and 290.


Yeah.


If he were making that commute during rush hour (oh I laugh at the singular usage of that word), it would be about an hour and a half one way. As it is, he leaves the house each morning at 5:15 am to avoid all of that, and so that he can get off early enough to pick Gracie up from the church in the evening. So all of his friends made the journey and they were all appropriately appalled at how long it took.


We had a really good time playing games and eating. Three friends stayed until about 9:30 pm because we were out on the deck with a box of Trivial Pursuit cards just asking the questions. The entire thing went off without a hitch, and I was able to meet Trevor's boss from Russia, who did not speak a lick of English. Trevor taught the kids to say "hello" in Russian, and I think it pleased him that they tried.


So, today we dismantled the swing set. We knew that we couldn't take that massive thing with us to Oklahoma, and so we decided to give it to Will and Charly so that Nick and Alex could enjoy it. Once it was out of the yard there was just this big, empty space out there between the two pecan trees. The place where our kids spent hours swinging, climbing and imagining the day away was suddenly gone. I didn't think that it would bother me, but it did. Just like seeing our fireplace without it's mantle feels like a little death. (Amber took it home with her to Louisiana...Gramps made it when the fireplace was built, and she wanted to use it over her fireplace)


The last straw was when I ran out to the store for a few groceries later in the afternoon, and then dissolved into tears as I approached our driveway. I've known for a long time that we were leaving, but seeing the house sitting there expectantly waiting for me to come home was more than I could bear. I just sat in my car and cried for a few minutes. I've been pushing all of this down as I've made plans and kept moving forward, but now that planning is over and all that's left to do is say goodbye.

It's turning out to be harder than I thought.

10 comments:

Mocha with Linda said...

This post made me ache for you. I know God has GREAT things for y'all in the future, even if it is north of the Red River. :-) And I know you know that too. But the process of letting go of the sweet familiar is so, so hard.

I'm so glad you had some fun times with friends this weekend. And I hope you have some sweet times together and pleasant dreams in your house this final week. How I wish I could come give you a hug before you move.

How thankful I am for blogs, email, cell phones, and the blessed assurance that
Friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them...


Love you, my friend!
Linda

Carrie @ Cottage Cozy said...

My prayers are with you and your family, dear blogging friend! I know it is difficult, but how awesome to have had such wonderful friends who clearly love you. I know God has many powerful plans for you in your new home. He is in control and loves you.

Prayers and Blessings to you,
Carrie

A Stone Gatherer said...

(((hug))) I thought you needed that! When do you move?

Buffi Young said...

wow...so glad you got to have a special day with all your friends before you leave. OH...I know how hard it is to leave. Bless your heart! All those memories. At least you have them in your heart (and blog for that matter) that you will always remember. We pray that God sets up the perfect community and friendships for you all once you get to your new place!! He's got great things in store for you. We are continuing to pray!! Bless you guys!
Buffi

Karen said...

I'm thinking of you as your heart must be breaking from saying all of these goodbyes. Yet, how often we take our friends and work friends for granted. We should all celebrate our relationships, and you and Trevor have had an opportunity to do that and show your kids that people in your life are so important.

God has been so good to you and continues to be faithful. It's exciting to think what the future will hold.

Hugs to you.

Beth@Not a Bow in Sight said...

I pray that you find new and wonderful friendships in your new home :)

Kate said...

I like the way you describe the fireplace without the the mantle as a little death. We've moved MANY times and you've captured the essence of leaving in these words...a little death... BUT slowly from the ashes of leaving rises a new life in the coming to in your new home and community. We are still praying for you.

Kate

luvmy4sons said...

Was able to comment...still tried to shut down the browser page of my dashboard though. I am having issues and I can't figure it out! But I was able to comment at least! I am trying to remove Google friend connect from my page but every time I click on edit for that gadget my page is lost and it saves the tab but opens up on the layout page...and when I clock on edit again same thing happens. Won't allow me to delete it! Weird! Thanks!

Lisa said...

I had tears welling up just reading this post. I know this has been hard. I hope the transition is easy for you and your family. Hugs from Alabama!

Anonymous said...

The unknown is difficult. I'm glad that you had some closure with your friends, although with blogs and all of the technology out there (SKYPE!) people are just a click, call, video, or text away. You have lots of "lasts" but you'll also have some fun "firsts" in your new home.

I just got my Kindle 2 a month ago and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! Enjoy!

Hugs and blessings to you.