Slack... No, Busy... No, Slack

So it's been a while since I've updated this space; sorry about that! We've had a little bit going on. Let's see. Had a wonderful send-off party last night at Emily's house (thank you Emily!). A few tears from many people and a lot of heartfelt goodbyes. Today, I've been having fun playing with my new toy -- a gift from Lori, Emily and Karen -- an iPod Touch! Thank you so much ladies; I will keep in touch and think of you each time I use it. Tonight, we're having some more friends over and will enjoy more laughter and then have to say more heartfelt goodbyes. Phew! We're exhausted. Lloyd spent last night with a high fever; he's so run down. We're eager to get on the plane and begin our journey into our new lives in New Zealand. It's inconceivable to me still that I can't make plans with anyone here for next week; so weird. Day by day. Now stop reading this and go download Skype if you haven't already!!

Mabel

I must not forget to give a wee tribute to Mabel our much loved cat who left the household yesterday in very good hands. She's going to live with dear friends of ours and have a wonderful life. She will be missed, though! She is already.

The Long Goodbye/s

So the goodbyes have started and aren't getting any easier! First was to my brother and his family after we had spent a night at their house. Then I dropped my sister off at the airport and you already know about that. This past weekend, my other sister visited with her family and so yesterday we had to say goodbye to them. Today, a dear dear friend and her family came to visit and so there was THAT goodbye. She was my first friend in this fair town. Like she said over lunch today, it's not like we're falling off a cliff or something and disappearing for good but... I've got to tell you, when I'm in the throes of these goodbyes, it sure feels like it!

My Sister

I said goodbye to Michelle today and can't put into words how painful that was. This is something I wrote for her 40th birthday.

Once upon a time, in a land north of you, there lived a family full of love.

Of course, it wasn't like that every second of the day because this family consisted of human beings and sometimes human beings fight.

In this family there existed four children: (imagine!) three girls and a boy.
For this story we are interested in the two oldest girls.

Sisters.

Have you heard of sibling rivalry? Well, that’s when brothers and sisters fight.
Fight for toys, fight for attention, fight for the bathroom, fight for the last piece of chicken, stuff like that.

These sisters were like any other and they fought like that. Boy oh boy did they fight.

But remember how I said it was a family full of love? Well, sometimes you had to look hard to see it but, underneath all that fighting was a love those sisters had for each other that was going to prove far stronger and more important to each one of them than any fight they ever had.

So, time went on and these sisters grew up. Growing up isn’t always easy to do but, thankfully, these sisters had promised themselves to Jesus early on in their lives and, thankfully, Jesus has promised He will never leave us no matter what if we stay true or return to Him.

Now each sister has a family (full of love!) all her own.

The older sister was married first and moved away.

The younger sister carried on in her life.

No two people could have been further apart at this stage of their lives but yet, somehow, every day they were becoming closer and closer as two people becoming the very best of friends.

Finally, at long last, the younger sister got married and started her own family (full of love!).

Now the sisters had more in common. The younger sister was constantly calling the older sister for advice and encouragement. Couldn’t get enough of it as a matter of fact because she thinks the older sister is the best mom that ever lived.

Grant, Haileigh and Kelly, it’s Aunt Sandra and I am writing as the younger sister about me and your mom, the older sister.

She has far more to teach you than just how to put your shoes on and how to take them off. Or why you should keep your room clean. Or that you should always say please and thank you (which you should). Or that green vegetables are good for you (which they are).

Pay attention to her and she will teach you what it is to live in a family full of love.

How to be a friend that will last a lifetime.

How to listen.

How to have fun and laugh with reckless abandon.

How to eat a s’more with reckless abandon.

How to make friends out of sisters and brothers.

Please give your mom a huge hug for me on this momentous birthday. I so wish I could be there to hug her myself…

My sister and best friend in the whole world.

Gulp!

It's February. Wow. I think that explains the constant state of panic and butterflies in my stomach!! We are very very busy and need to make the most of every moment; whether it be packing, spending time with family and friends or sleeping. Hard to remain aware of that but I'll try.