Moving Stinks

Spent most of the day yesterday with a neighbor friend (Erica) who is moving to NC next week. I've known her for 1 1/2 years and feel like we've known one another for a lifetime. We connected instantly. Erica has a magnetic personality that instantly puts you at ease. We love to talk about lots of subjects & can go on for hours if we aren't careful. We trade playdates for our kids regularly, backed each other up when we were going to be late for the bus, cried on each other's shoulders, laughed, ate together. Our daughters got to be very good buddies too. It is rare to find a friend you feel so comfortable with so quickly. I'm really going to miss her - and I know a lot of other people are too.

A very close couple to us is also moving this summer. Danny and Angela have become family to us and our extended family here in Erie. We've shared many meals, laughter, tears, garden space, walks and much more. We'll miss them very much and so will many, many others.

Sometimes I feel like erecting a wall around myself and not letting anyone get in so I don't have to experience the pain of this kind of loss. Protectionism leads to a dull and self-serving life. God made us to reach out and connect with other people and to share life with them - it brings such joy but also causes pain. It is the risk I'll continue to take.