The Beginning of Goodbyes

One of the activities Joe and I have enjoyed is having small eclectic dinner gatherings over the years. As our preparation for traveling and moving  ramps up in the next 5 weeks, we have begun last ‘get togethers’ with different people. It is bittersweet.

We are excited for upcoming adventures. We are delighted that we will be visiting, and in some cases meeting for the first time, people we have grown fond of and who are scattered all around the United States.

At the same time saying goodbye is difficult. We know we will be able to stay in touch via Facebook, Google Meets, and other online programs. There is a direct flight from Minneapolis to Sacramento and we will come visit. It will be different,

Tonight, was one of our ‘lasts.’ A goodbye dinner with a core group of people who have been part of our Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners over the last 6 years (subtract 2020 we were on COVID restriction) and 6-7 other get togethers each year. We added in Joe’s friend (and best man at our wedding) and his wife who drove up from Morgan Hill today.

After everyone left, as we were cleaning up, it hit me that this was the last planned dinner. We will go out with other friends for breakfast, lunch, or dinner before we leave. As I write this, I feel a bit melancholy at the thought of leaving California and this rich mixture of people we call “friends.” 

-A A Milne (Winnie the Pooh)