Soon

I have known for several months that my BFF was actually really moving far, far away to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren. In December she and her husband went to "test the waters" near their daughter to see if making the big move out there made sense. That decision for them became easier when they learned that their daughter was expecting their second grandchild. So they made the decision to put their house here on the market and happily, for them it sold quickly. Because she is my BFF, I have known all of this for weeks. I even knew when their actual moving day from here was to take place. And now it has come. I thought I was ready. But I'm not. Yesterday when I went down to her house to pick out planting containers that she was willing to give me if I wanted them, the reality really hit me. The house that I had spent hours in babysitting her kitties and getting to play her piano, water her plants, and, once when I was without internet while they were away, was able to turn into a semi-second home that allowed me internet connectivity, was turned upside down with boxes, stacked items ready to be packed or discarded, pictures off the walls, area rugs rolled up, and filled boxes everywhere. It will soon be someone else's home. And that truth and reality really hit me. In a few days my friend who used to be just down the street will be gone. Thankfully, these days because of social media, cell phones, and texting abilities, she will only be gone physically. But things will not be the same. In the last five months I have lost neighbors and friends who have been very special parts of my life for years. Actually, this isn't the first time in my life this has happened, and I am sure it will not be the last. If there is a yin to this yang, it is that all of these people have added so much to my life and, in fact, I know have made me a better person. I can't help but think about this with the analogy of making a piecework quilt. Each little piece of fabric, when sewn together to make a whole, becomes something not only beautiful, but also something that is good and comforting. The good comes from having these people add so much to my life. And the comforting will always be the wonderful memories of shared times and experiences that have enriched my life in a multitude of ways. But, oh, my, how I will miss not having more time together.