The last week in July and the first week in August were spent exploring many different feelings — stomach-butterflies as I stressed over the exact date of departure, sadness about leaving my family, joy to be surrounded and loved by so many friends, and busy-busy-busyness while trying to put my house in order. Clean the frig, winterize the toilets (that’s a new one), distribute keys and directions on visiting Handshaker Court, cut the grass, hire a landscaper, dog-sit Miss Kacey Mae one last time, schedule the gutter man, schedule pest control treatment before I leave (and that’s a good thing because Mr. Mouse showed up in the basement), etc. — there’s a lot to do before you move abroad. But the closer the day of departure came, I began to feel excitement about this new adventure in life!
Hey — I’m going to live in a foreign country with new rules, new experiences, and a new job. Living a dream forces you to organize life and count your blessings … that’s why it’s “such sweet sorrow” to leave the past and walk down a new path.
Dan and Patrick, my dear friends, planned a very intimate dinner party the last day of July for me, my children, and several of my closest friends. What an elegant and fun evening! These pictures show just a little of the fun!
Streams from the Desert Blog 