Saying Goodbye

Almost 5 years ago my neighbor, who lives across the alley, asked me if I had met Matt and Casey. They lived across the street from her and she thought we would get along great! Casey was a stay-at-home mom, we had similar age children, ideas and values. We met and sure enough, we loved each other!

These past few years I have spent countless hours visiting with Casey, watching her adorable girls and cleaning her kitchen (which I did almost everytime I stopped by). She had 4 girls in 4 years and 364 days. Cleaning her kitchen was my way of supporting her!

I appreciate Casey so much because she is a talker! The older I get the more introverted I have become and I don't have much to say (except when I write) so Casey's endless chatter made for a perfect friendship. Her home always had an "open door", I always felt welcomed.

I watched her, not literally, birth her 2 youngest girls. Since I have 3 boys I always appreciated the massive amounts of pink, barbies, hair clips and craft supplies that were scattered about her home.

A few months ago Matt found out that he was losing his job. The company had other locations and he was hired at a plant in Ohio. I prayed very hard for God's guidance in their lives. I have peace knowing that they are heading in the right direction. I know that we will always be in touch, thank God for texting, phones and Facebook! As a matter of fact, we will be stopping by their new house in July, while in route to my nephew's wedding. Matt's parents live here so they will head back every year for a visit. Still, it won't be the same. A chapter in my life has ended and I am sad, actually, quite a mess. I will miss being able to walk 1/2 block and pop in on a dear friend. I will miss the messy kitchen that I so loved to clean. I will miss 4 darling little girls and all their screams! I will miss Matt and Casey. I know I will see them again and hear from them probably today :) So I think what I will miss the most, is that chapter in my life. Time marches on and we cannot stop it, we can only cherish each day.

Casey and the girls stopped by this morning to say goodbye. I cried. I am crying. It is so hard to say goodbye.