A Fairy Tale- (July 2013)

Once upon a time not too long ago, a special family we know well, our 'besties', had a busy week. Their son received his mission call on Wednesday, but before he could open it his sister went into labour and had a beautiful daughter, baby H. So the next day (Thursday), the mission call was opened and Tahiti was the place! So much excitement! So much to do, things to prepare, house renos to finish, doctorate to complete, school year to finish... then on Monday, a new job opportunity and a move thousands of miles away. Whew, I'm tired and teary eyed just writing it all down!

These good people have completed everything, (except the doctorate!) in just a short few months. Mission things were prepared, house renos completed, house listed for sale, and packing... the school year could not end soon enough!

We tried to help our special friends as much as we could with all of the changes in their life... I always feel like we don't do enough... Anyway, last week we were blessed to be able to go to our ward for church and then to go to their ward to church to hear Mom, Dad and future missionary speak. A farewell for the missionary and for the family. Needless to say, I wept! (I've been doing a lot of that lately!) That night a farewell party, photo ops, and memories shared.

We were blessed to be able to sit in as S was made an Elder. We are thankful for his example for C and for our girls as well. S was calm and seemed so ready to go to the MTC to learn french and tahitian. Mom and Dad did great too! It was an honour to be asked to attend. Thank you!

Then we even went to the airport very early in the morning to see Elder S get on the plane for his long day of travel to SLC. We were so glad when we heard he arrived safely!

Dad Bestie left for new job down south this week. 

Mom Bestie came to church with us on Sunday and came for dinner. She continues to pack, clean for house showings and to get ready for another beautiful grandchild coming any time now! 

Today, she told us that we can write a letter to Elder S and he will receive it today! Check out   http://www.dearelder.com  We wrote a quick note and are grateful for the chance to keep in touch so easily. 

Although this is the story about our 'besties' I am writing it so I don't forget the feelings I have had this last little while and the admiration I have for this good family. They have been through SO much in the last 2 years... It is so amazing how well they have coped with all the hard changes, good and bad. My feelings have ranged from rage to sorrow to happiness to sorrow, to sadness for me and happiness for them to more sadness for me (I'm selfish that way). One sister on Sunday said " You don't realize how important someone is to your life until they are leaving it". I have to agree with that. Now, they are not leaving my life, just moving far away. We will see each other! We will. We love going to where they are moving, albeit there are some rivalry issues!?! We will just have to plan to get together during the summers (for sure), we can travel and meet each other anywhere, and we can use all our technical devices to communicate. I may even need to get, dare I say it?!...   Facebook! Yikes!

Anyway, I laughed at dinner on Saturday, there we sat, the 2 Moms, sitting together updating our phones to be sure we had all our emails and numbers! I never thought we would ever do this!

This is one fairy tale that continues. There will be more laughter, memories and tears, and I know it will have a happy ending!