Goodbyes

Bit of an emotional wreck this evening. Thinking of moving to Sydney, all I could think was... warm weather, family, job opportunity and those fabulous beaches. And the coffee. And the Cherry Ripes. For years, I ran comparison charts in my head, with Sydney winning out every time.

Tonight we sat down to work out some details of a farewell party, and all I can think is, how do I say goodbye to so many wonderful friends who have touched our lives over the past 30 years? Am I crazy to be taking dad out of what he has known for the past 30 years?

Again, I know I've made the right decision. It's not going to be easy though. I asked if I had to show up to my own farewell party... and was told that sadly, I do.

The half filled boxes and debris strewn across the living room floor don't help. One box holds games... I can see the title 'Probe' from where I sit, and recall many a family game played around the table. Dad saying do you have an 'Ssssss'? And when we said No, he'd say, "Did I say 'S'? I meant an 'F' " - to which we always groaned 'Daaaaaaad'. And he'd smile quietly to himself.

There's my little fake Christmas tree, lights attached. Perfect apartment size, because of limited storage space. Little tree went up every early December, to provide cheer in one of the darkest months of the year.

Tissue paper is tossed elsewhere... and I'm reminded of my gift bag trick... always leaving gift wrapping till the last minute... realizing I was ready to walk out the door but the gift wasn't. Gift bags and tissue paper helped with that. Until i realized I could buy myself another 5 minutes! So girls, that's why I was always late to a bridal shower, baby shower, birthday party... I was always stuffing the gift bag at the very end!!

I lost count a long time ago of how many weddings, babies, new homes and other farewells I've been to. Time stands still for no one. While we can share in another's life, we have to live our own life. Now is the time for us to move on to the next step, and it is the right decision. Just as long as I survive the goodbyes.