Next-to-the-last week in MI

No pictures...perhaps, because they might include emotional lasts that we are experiencing this week. Doing things, seeing people and getting together for the last time. It hurts a little and while there have not been any boo-hoos, there are feelings.

Last week I said good bye to three of the young women I hired and mentored at HH...and their babies. This week I said good bye to three H&C co-workers. That hurt a little more...20 years of close friendship brushed aside in an hour's lunch. "You have been a good friend, and I will miss you," I said to each one with a hug. Yesterday my doc and HH board member of 12 years and I parted, then decided at the last minute to do lunch next week. So that relationship is still open.

Today, Aleene and I went to Fennville for a final visit to the dentist: Nancy, Sandra, Tom & Sally. During Aleene's appointment I had coffee with Bob Matula. While I was in the chair Aleene visited Lily. BTW, Lily is doing quite well and is talking about returning to work on a limited basis sometime in the not too distant future.

We drove 58th Street as it was bursting with spring. I drove the 59th-58th Street loop for the last time...past the old residence (which looks really good, thanks to Charlie) and for a second pondered the significance of that place...the kids, the pets, the jobs, the friends and experiences...whew!

This Sunday we do church for the last time in Fennville. Thirty-four years we have worshiped with the same congregation...albiet a changed group and of that I am proud. It is like staying married to the same person...through thick and thin; in sickness and in health...they have been there for us and to the extent possible (especially recently) we have been been there for them. We have linked to a new congregation in OR, but the folks here helped us raise our kids...

So there you have it. Sandra (Sandy Bale) reports sister Laura headed for Scottsdale, AZ alone today. She has a place to live, but will be looking for a job. So we are not the only ones starting a new life in the spring of 2006.

Enough...on that.

Yesterday we finalized house design plans with our person in Newberg. He should have final drawing to us next week...then he will do construction drawings; exciting, new stuff.

For everything there is a season... the writer of Ecclesiastes wrote. A time to say good bye and a time to look foreward to new things...and this week we are experiencing many of those seasons.