It is hard to say goodbye

Saying goodbye has always been hard for me.
My heart is full of love for family and friends.
I even hate to say goodbye after a nice phone visit with a dear one.

These are pictures of me....

.... and Erin.... and...

... and Lynell talking to our dear friend , Marie, on thanksgiving day.

How I wished that she and Todd could zap through the phone and join us.
Of course that could not be.... so we had to say goodbye and go on with our day.

Saying goodbye in person is even harder.
Emma and her Aunt Erin have a special bond that causes
both of their hearts to break when goodbye must be said.

Our son and his sweet family live far away
so we only get to see them once or twice a year.
I just wanted to hold on to him forever and not say goodbye.

These cute five year old cousins had so much fun together all week.
They too, were not happy to say goodbye.
Davey sadly said "I will miss my best friend."

How I wish that we all lived close to each other...

Then "goodbyes" would not be so hard.
However, would "hellos" be as sweet?

Some have suggested to me that if we all lived close to each other

getting together would not be such a special event.
...
Maybe they are right but maybe they are not.
I love it each week when we have dinner with Mindy and her family.
I always get excited when I hear the front door open and little
voices calling out "Grammy, we're here."
...
I think that I would never tire of having dear ones close by....
... but what is....is....
...and I must rejoice that we all love each other so much...
..and always love what ever time we have to spend together.

Some goodbyes are more permanent and leave you feeling so sad and empty that you wonder if you will ever feel "normal" again. Losing a pet is nothing like losing a real family member ,as a couple of you have lately...
... but since everyone left,
I miss our Heidi more than words can say.
The last couple of days I didn't even want to get out of bed.
With sweet family and my dear Heidi gone, the house seems so
empty and lonely.
I want to especially thank all of you who left me comments on my last blog.
Sibyl and Marie even sent me love twice on the same blog.
Thank you.... thank you ...
Your support has meant so much to me.
...
So.............. now I must stop feeling sad about all the goodbyes
and think of the wonderful times we shared together.
I am so blessed and I know it.
I have much to smile about.
On my next blog I will share my smiles with you.