Saying Goodbye

Time ticks on at the same pace no matter how much you want to hold on to it. I felt like I was clinging to ever moment this weekend, hoping it would last as long as possible.
Saturday I was able to be at my niece's build-a-bear birthday party, which was very cute. Then my sisters, brother-in-law and nieces all went to lunch. It was a one of those situations where you really want to have fun, but you are so fearful of the goodbye that you can't relax. MommaK and her husband gave me a wonderful going away gift. They gave me this awesome bag and a gift certificate that I can use when I move.

I tired to spend a lot of time with my older niece, since I think she understands a little more than the younger. But inevitably, we had to say goodbye. I was OK when I hugged my nieces, but once I hugged mommaK, I started to get really choked up. Then when my brother-in-law reminded me that he was here if I ever needed anything, I was fighting back tears. I didn't want to cry in the middle of the mall, nor did I want my nieces to see me make a scene. But I guess there just is not real good way to say goodbye.

The next day was filled with hugs, tears, and goodbyes. My best friends threw me WONDERFUL going away party. It was perfect! Just about all my best friends and sister were there. We spent the day playing games and LOVING each other's company. I always knew I had great friends, but they really were over the top yesterday! They put together a poem made interiorly of country music song titles. They framed it and had everyone sign around it.

The first stanza reads like this,

It's Your Song

American Girl, Here for the Party You Can't Take the Honky Tonk Out of the Girl

Save a Horse Ride a Cowboy, These are the Days, Knock Yourself Out

Hog Wild, It's all Good.

Honestly, I wish I could write all the things people wrote about me, but that would take up too much space and seem like I'm a little stuck up. :o) But I will tell you about two other gifts I received. The guy I'm seeing, Tim, is very attentive. A few months ago, I told him a story that really upset me. I told him that in college a friend gave me a bottle of 1998 Kendall Jackson Merlot and said not to open it until I was where I wanted to be in life. That was my 19th birthday and I was very excited to save it for the perfect moment. I didn't open it when I graduated, and didn't open it when I got my first teaching job. But at a party I was hosting, we ran out of wine and someone took that bottle off the shelf and drank it. I found the empty bottle in the morning. I was so upset because I thought it was a great gift idea. So Tim handed me two cards and bag. The first card was just a cute funny card that came with the Dr. Seuss book "Oh, the Places You'll Go." The first page reads, "Congratulations! Today is your day. You're off to great places! You're off and away." Very true...I am off in five days! The second card was much sweeter! I have to write what he wrote because he is a very fine writer. He doesn't always say the right thing, but he sure can write it!

When Dreams take flight...Follow them. (the card cover)

It seems almost foolish to give you a card with this message; You practically wrote this message. Your strength and your passion amaze me, and you've left an impression on me that will last past forever. Some would say that time is an elusive thief that's run out on us, but I prefer to think of time as a companion who's always there reminding us how precious each moment is. None were more precious then the ones I spent with you. Thank you for your time and your love; I couldn't have asked for more! P.S. I know Merlot isn't your favorite, but I thought this particular vineyard's might be special. I'm not going to tell you to wait until you've
"arrived" to drink this, because I hope you never do. Rather I hope you live in glorious bliss of always working and pushing for more and better. Just make this bottle Special!

I was a little choked up after that message. He has a wonderful way of making me sound like a hero. :o) But there was still one more special gift. My best friend Jessi had worked on a photo album that showed our history together. It really is beautiful! She included a song she wrote. She and I sang this song at her senior recital and it had always meant a lot to both of us. But she has now dedicated it to me. Here is the refrain and third verse.

Freeway, take me to a place that I can call my home. Freeway, looking for a love that I can call my own. This life I'm leading now, it ain't the right one for me. Georgia, West Virginia, Carolina, Maryland they ain't suiting me, Destination Tennessee.

Maybe I'll hit Memphis, sing the blues on southern summer nights. Then I'm off to Graceland to see myself if Elvis is still alive. Nashville, Here I come to sing about the love he left behind. All I've got now is a broken heart, my guitar and the Dixie line.

We spent the whole night outside on my good friends newly finished deck. She and her boyfriend did SO much work on their house for this party. I'm so grateful that I have such wonderful friends. Thank you all so much, I love you and will think about you everyday.