On the move...

My girlfriend dropped her three kids off today, so she could go home and pack. Due to Michigan's truly sucky economy, she and her family are moving to Maryland. It's a big change for her kids, and I feel badly. I'm sorry for myself, of course, because this friend is very close to my heart. With our children the same ages, we find a lot of things to share about their days and tantrums, etc... SO anyway, I made cookies and listened to the girls, and in general did what little I could to make them feel good for a few hours. We spoke positively of adventures and new friends, while inside I was so sad. There's no picture, because the batteries in the camera died, but I made her some socks and a tablerunner, because that's what we do, we crafters. We give gifts to show what's in our hearts, in the hope that part of us will travel with them.

You know how it is when your brain finally stops running around, chasing its thoughts, searching for the right thing to say? And then, out of nowhere, your mouth opens and speaks your most basic, heartfelt truth? I'm so grateful for that moment, when I finally said the sentence that was lurking there, under my consciousness.

The sun was out today, and I was standing in the yard with my friend Mary. I was thinking back to the first time she came over, when we were just beginning our friendship. It was another sunny day like this one, and we were watching our kids play on the swings. That was when I discovered a certain kinship, that she didn't mind raking leaves to jump in, or stepping around doggie landmines in the backyard. I teased her about liking country music, and she tactfully didn't respond.

Since then, we've shared growing pains as we took our kids to school, vowed to not get involved when our children fought with each other, and traded baked goods, whenever the urge hit us to cook. I am really going to miss her soups.

I wish she could stay. I wish finances and responsible decisions allowed for a different outcome. Barring that, though, I'm really glad I got to say a simple truth. I've really enjoyed having you here.