Irregular Bloggularity

Hey folks, sorry about the irregular postings. We're coming to crunch time here with the girls in their last two days of school. I posted several months ago about how my older daughter only had one trimester of middle school gym class during which kids actually didn't do gym. Only when they forget their gym clothes do the kids have to run laps. Well, I found out that the school changed their minds and decided to have the kids do band instead. So my pre-teen, during those tricky pre-teen fill out so you can shoot up like a weed years, has had zero school phys ed.

Way to teach our children about healthy habits! Go school!

Other than the fancy footwork of final days (say that ten times fast), the wrapping up of a year is coming on strong. Last night, at choir, we had our last practise. One of the women decided she wanted to have a choir party and the group talked about the dark winding drive to her home, and how Ms. Garmin can't find the woman's house either.

I looked on, smiling, but not participating in the discussion. I didn't realize til later that I was expecting it to happen after I leave here in three weeks. Watching from the outside as people made plans after I move on has been something I'm very familiar with. It becomes a strange melancholic (is that even a word) friend. It's, well, like looking through a glass front store to people dressing mannequins. You see it. It's lovely. They smile at you. They share their creation, but you're staying on the outside where you belong.

This is the point where the mind splits. You live in one place doing, and being, and existing while your plans are made somewhere else. You have to think of those plans in order for them to come out right, yet you feel slightly guilty for moving your mind forward and away from local friends. So you stay quiet for the most part. You make your plans and pack your bags and prepare the things that have to be prepared and say your goodbyes without actually saying goodbye, yet. You get your hugs in and make sure those near you know how important they have been and will continue to be, to you. You don't share the move because it toes the line with disloyalty. And they don't want to talk about it anyway (right Christy?).

Moving will happen. It has to. And it's okay if it isn't pretty and you don't cry dainty tears or don't cry at all. Whether it's in your home, your family, your career, your circle of friends, there are times to move on. May the Lord be with you in whichever move crowds your mind.

Packing up the dreams God planted
In the fertile soil of you
I can't believe the hopes He's granted
Means a chapter of your life is through
But we'll keep you close as always
It won't even seem you've gone
'Cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong

And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
'Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends

(Friends are friends forever... Michael W. Smith)