Saying goodbye, why is it sad? Makes us remember the good times we've had.

We've had a wonderful few days filled with old friends--some really old old friends.  Hehe.  Love you all, old friends.

On Thursday we were able to have brunch with LeeR's friends from high school--over 50 years now of dinner groups sharing each others journey and all that entails. We were with them the night we got engaged and they have welcomed me into their circle of 12 or so wonderful people. We were reminiscing about how our dinner topics used to be centered around who was pregnant, how to toilet train, and the challenges of young parents. Then we went through the teenage years. Whew. We celebrated when the oldest of the group turned 50 (that seemed really old then). And now here we are saying goodbye to the second of our group to graduate from this life. Seems like goodbye's such a hard thing to say.

Saturday night our old friend from LSU and his sweet wife dropped by on their way home from Washington. We haven't seen Al for 42 years, but it's like we're young struggling students again wondering what the future holds for us now. It was wonderful to see them and again reminisce about the "good ol' days." Such fun to reconnect with Al and his beautiful wife. Touching a hand, wondering why, it's time for saying goodbye.

Today "half" of my best friend from childhood and her wonderful husband came by for a visit. She and her twin (whom my five-year-old mind seemed to consider one person) and I were inseparable. As Rosemary said today, "we were sisters--triplets, really." That's how it felt. My little sister was part of the group a lot of the time, too. We had so much fun growing up together. And I'll be eternally indebted to them and their family for taking us to church and helping me understand the promise of eternal families. I believe they were the single-most (double-most?) influences on the choices I made as a teenager and, consequently, on my life. I love them so. Much more to say, foolish to try--it's time for saying goodbye.

The muppets said it best:

Saying goodbye, going away
Seems like goodbye's such a hard thing to say
Touching a hand, wondering why
It's time for saying goodbye

Saying goodbye, why is it sad?
Makes us remember the good times we've had
Much more to say, foolish to try
It's time for saying goodbye

We've been blessed to walk through life amidst these giants. Thanks to old friends who came from near and far for putting their lives on hold for a few hours and dropping by to remember the good times, lighten our load, share our burden, have a few laughs, shed some tears, and say goodbye. We love you all!