Melancholy..
I've been kind of melancholy lately, which is quite unusual for me...can you think of why that might be?

Well, besides the Phoenix Suns losing in the playoffs again, and the very hard things that some of our friends have been going thru, the last of our kids are moving away.

We only have Amy, Kevin and Andrew (Amy's husband) so it's a small family anyway. Kevin has been in the Air Force for 3 years and is now in Omaha with nearly a year of active duty left (if all goes well). Who knows when or if he'll ever come to live here in Phoenix. Add to that the fact that Amy & Andrew are moving to L.A. in just a week or so (the day before Mother's Day) and that probably explains a lot about my current disposition.

Needless to say, we're really sad to see them go. I'm sure all you parents feel like me in wanting to have your children nearby no matter how old they get. I remember my mom saying to me once, "No matter how old you get, you're still my child." Not meaning that I am still a child, but that she will always love me and want to share life with me just as much, no matter how much time passes. That is SO TRUE!

We will surely miss the times we've had with Amy & Andrew and continue to miss Kevin... laughing and joking together, day trips to see Grandma Irish, playing Shanghai and Traveling Pictionary, family celebrations, extended family gatherings, watching the Suns, eating meals together and just hanging out. We look forward to every minute that we will connect by phone, online or especially in person. I'm already trying to find reasons to go visit or have them come back here. Do I hear road trip anyone?

Of course we're so happy for their journeys and the fact that they are all pursuing their dreams, but it doesn't really make it much easier to have them away. We're leaving it all in God's hands and are thankful for the precious time that we'll have with them in the months and years to come.

So, now that I've spent a good part of my morning on the computer, I REALLY need to get out and shop for all that's needed for Amy & Andrew's going away party, which is this Sunday.
I have done practically NOTHING...probably because I'm in denial to the fact that they're leaving. Unfortunately, it's not a very good idea to invite 50 or so people over for a party, then not have anything there for them, so I'd better get moving.

Enjoy every moment of your day and the time you have with those you love! It is a precious commodity.