Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end...

 

In a matter of 3 days, I said good-bye to Derek version 3.2, celebrated my 33rd year of breathing on my own with a handful of wonderful friends and family...not to mention the delicious cheeseburger & onion rings...and turned around to say good-bye to a friend who I've spent quite a lot of time with over the past year and a half. 

 

We've grown close, but her friendship is completely unique to me.  I don't think it was until she said goodbye to her friends and my dog Chuck, that I saw her cry.  I think the hug goodbye was possibly our only physical contact.  I can honestly sit back and know that there are great differences between us, but we enjoyed our time together...kinda being 2 single people, hanging out, not together.  I could've let it drive me into the ground, but with the exception of a few moments, I just rolled with her.  I didn't beg for time.  Our time was on her terms mostly. 

 

Through prayer and reflection, she decided that Galveston, that Texas, was no longer where she needed to be.  She needed to be closer to family.  How can you not encourage that???  I was not there to deter her.  She was on a mission.  I admire that in so many ways.  Of course, I laugh a bit, 'cause she calls me stubborn.  Sometimes "conviction" and "stubborn" can be easily blurred. 

 

We'll stay friends and hopefully stay in contact.  We've had a standing appointment every week for several months now.  It's still on my calendar.  I really don't want to take it off.  But she deserves the best going away prayer I can offer with love...Vaya Con Dios!