I've feel like I have been writing this post for months now in my head.... wondering how you possibly say goodbye to friends you truly don't know how you will live without...I've come to the conclusion that you simply DO NOT. Leaving Albany, Oregon is one of the hardest things we've ever had to do. I have dreaded it. I have cried more tears than I thought were humanly possible anticipating this day. I have devised ways in my head to stay. I have devised ways to enable my friends to come with me. But the point is... we cannot change things sometimes and I am trying to live by my own motto...."We do not want to do this but we need to do this". Seattle is going to be a huge change and in thinking about the time we have spent here I was reminded of a night on the town with friends. In one of our many adventures we dragged our husbands to see WICKED and what a time was had by all. I remember sitting through the performance and listening to a song that literally brought tears to my eyes and still does. It is a constant reminder of how blessed our family has been since we moved to Albany.
Here are the words....
I've heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason--bringing something we must learn-- and we are led to those who help us most to grow---- if we let them and we help them in return... I don't know if I believe that that's true--- but I know I'm who I am today because I knew you... like a comet pulled from orbit as it passes the sun, like a stream that meets a boulder halfway through the wood...who can say if I've been changed for the better? But because I knew you I have been changed for good------
I have thought and thought of the right words to say and the right gift to give but really when it comes down to it I suppose there isn't much you can give a friend other than your thanks, your admiration, your respect, and your love. I hope you all know that I am the person I am today because "I knew you" and I know that I HAVE been changed for the better having had you in my life. I hope to take a little of you all with me to Seattle. Your candor, your wit, your sensibility, your sense of humor, your listening ear and most of all your willingness to accept us just as we are. I hope to meet up with you all again soon. I know that good friends are friends for life but I will miss the day to day "stuff", the phone calls, the playdates, the holidays , the long talks, and the list could go on forever. Visit us soon. We miss you all already!
Love, Sheridan and the Ringhiser clan
Posts
