Last Suppers...

Milo says goodbye to Ms. Jackie and buddy Kayla :(

Been noticing recently that significant people have been moving in and out of our lives on an annoyingly regular basis.  My friend Blythe once said that it was her fault that we moved from OH to NC because her good friends always move away, and I'm starting to recognize this phenomena.  Ours has a slightly different caveat, several of my friends flee the country.

Though it makes me sad, I am eternally grateful for the season we shared with them, the ways in which they walked thru life with us, loved on our kids, the memories we have shared, and the many, many unique places we now have people to stay with when we travel.

Ms. Carolyn with Annie, Jude's first crush ;)

With one family who recently was relocated to Germany for the dad/husband's work for at least 3 years, I had the privilege to share a meal with them right before they left.  As we sat on their deck sharing this supper, Nathan made the observation that this was the last dinner in their house before they left.  I was struck by this, the somberness of the moment, the finality of it, but the great significance as well.  Nathan and Angela are almost singularly responsible for our current NC family, aka our church.  The first time we visited the church, while I was in the bathroom changing a diaper, Nathan started chatting easily and naturally with Mike.   As many of you know, Mike's not a social butterfly, so this manly conversation amongst scientists was a winning moment for him; we could and did belong here with this easy family of friends.  This family would fill needs that our long-distant blood-family simply couldn't due to geography.  This family would demonstrate what it means to be brothers and sisters in the Father.

Other friends have come and gone in miraculously timely moments as needs have arisen or as other friends have been called elsewhere; Jackie and our perfectly-timed sabbatical in OH who was walking thru an amazingly similar time and situation in life, then sweet Carolyn provided ridiculous love and support during a particularly sensitive time for me before she had to move home to PA.  Just as she was moving, I met my gracious Eunice who continued that loving support and friendship.  Eunice has just moved home to Korea, and I'm anxious to see what's in store for me now.  And then there's Suzanne, the mom I randomly met touring Milo's school, who's son is now Milo's BFF.  Everything covered before I know what to ask for.

Sweet Eunice!

But with all these supplications come the bitter-sweet final suppers.  We'll hold on to the memories, look forward to trips to spend time together again, skype when we can, stalk them on FB, and enjoy the visits whenever the happen, like Sarah and Alex and Blythe and Pete in the past 10 days.  Thanks friends.  We love and miss you, but will always celebrate with you whenever we can!