and I am sad today.
My friend is moving away. Far, far away, to Germany. Although happy for her opportunity to live overseas and explore Europe with her family, I will miss her.
Katy is one of the people I respect most. She lives her life well. As a woman who's husband is often gone with military duty, she holds down her own fort amazingly, making it appear easy, and never seems to wallow in self pity. She is thoughtful, extremely intelligent, and full of wisdom. Her opinions are always interesting and well thought through.
Many times, I wondered about the sustainability of a close friendship between the two of us. We hold different religious and political views. Nor are we currently at the same place in life. She has moved on some, out of the baby-stage and into more flexibility and mobility. Her youngest child, a gorgeous little girl, is 4, and her older 2 boys are in school. She skis frequently and enjoys going out dancing. I ski never and enjoy staying in for my dancing. She likes to travel with her car radio off. I prefer mine blasting. She goes to the Y to work out and spends many Saturdays outdoors on the soccer field. I wear a baby backpack to exercise and spend many Saturdays outdoors with my clothesline. Yet, 6 years after we first met, she is one of the people in my life I cherish most. The way she listens to Rush L. when she hardly agrees with anything he says makes me laugh. I can always count on her to offer wise counsel and a substantiated answer. She regularly opens my eyes to an opinion different than my own, and although I may not change my mind, I always appreciate the opportunity to broaden my perception and awareness. She is the person you want to have in your bookclub, a woman great questions and great answers.
Katy has taught me much, as she is always able to see a situation from many angles.
She is generous. Very generous. I can't type that without crying.
Katy,
Thank you for your friendship. I am privileged to know you. I would be a different person without you in my life. I am sorry to see you go, but happy for Magic Jack!
Sincerely with love,
Tisha
3 comments:
Oh, Tisha, I know too well how hard this is!! Neil was an enlisted Marine when we got married and served for 3 years, then later went back for 21 years as an Army chaplain. I've often told people, "Despite all those years of practice, I've never gotten good at saying 'Goodbye'!"
Other than a year in Vietnam (our first year of marriage), we had amazingly little family separation, but even without a lot of family separation (which is so much part of military life today), you are always being separated from your friends.
And now for a word of HOPE: both this summer and again in February, we will be having part of a day with a couple with whom we served at our first Army duty station ( Ft. Campbell, KY) in 1976-80.
On our wonderful trek this summer, we got to visit with 8 sets of friends with whom we served in the chaplaincy, and 8 other military-related couples.
Saying "Goodbye" tonight isn't really saying "Goodbye" at all, if the two of you want to work at staying connected. In today's world of amazing technology, you can still be in touch daily, even, via blog and e-mail. What a gift!
So altho your heart is hurting and the tears are trickling down your cheeks, as they should be in this time of saying "Goodbye" to a treasured friend, just know that this is not a "forever goodbye", and that you can maintain a wonderful, rich, supportive friendship through the years. I've done it -- trust me, 'tis true!
Well said Tisha. She is a woman of great integrity and will be so missed by all. So great to see you last night.
Wow. That Katy must be some kind of woman! She's lucky to have you as such a dear friend, and I'm pretty sure she will miss you so much.
But don't worry... we'll be just a phone call away - an hour-long, controversial, lengthy and deep, phone call away. ;)
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