This year is a bit different though. Normally we would be knee deep in leaves from our big tree out front, enjoying some of our neighbors love of this holiday with their decorations and of course a house full of costumes that get worn and worn again before trick or treating has even begun. I'm not saying its a bad thing. We have new things to look forward to. The elementary school holds an annual "Hogwarts Night" every year and I have to say that was a lot of fun. The costumes are also all over the basement like usual and the kids have a bunch of new friends to go trick or treating with. It's all good...but still different. Am I ready for it?
That's a really loaded question. Financially, no, no and hell no! But then again, is anyone really ready for the financial stress that is the Holidays? Dare I say probably not. Otherwise, I think I am ready for it all. Trick or treating in a neighborhood with so many kids ought to be fun. I better stock up on candy. Thanksgiving will be new this year too. Jon and I are going to have our own Turkey with just our little family right here. I love the smell of a turkey cooking and look forward to mashed potatoes and gravy and all the fixings. We might go to my folks on Friday for a second dinner, but otherwise new again. Maybe we will find a fun hike or place to go too. New traditions can be wonderful! And Christmas....well....the kids have gone round and round as to where to put the tree and we have a proper fireplace to put stockings on. For some reason that excites the kids to no end! Change can be hard, but it can also be so good.
Despite the new changes and all, we do miss our old stomping grounds. We stopped an ice cream by to Ray Green yesterday to say Happy Birthday and we were so so happy to see Brent Palmer while we were there. Sweet Jessi started to cry when she saw him. She said she was coughing hard and had tears from that, but I don't recall one cough...sweet girl! She and the Palmers had a very special relationship and I think she's missed it more than any of us. We also miss the yummy left over treats they always had....bummer. I am very grateful for Facebook so I can keep up those friends because otherwise who knows? I am so bad at keeping in touch with people. Should be something I work on.
So the goings on of the season are so much the same, but so different at the same time. I am excited to have new adventures, meet new people and who knows where life will take us from here? I never was one to be super happy with sitting in one place too long. I love to keep going forward, going on and experiencing new places, people and things. But, such a huge part that I take with me is all the people we left behind and the place they have left in my heart. Palmers treats on a Sunday afternoon. Michelle McRae sitting with me during Skyler's surgery. Crying my heart out with Tanya Brimhall in church over our lost babies. The many tears Julie Green and I shed together. The late night Facebook messages with Angie Derieg. Watching with smiles as Mary Lindsay would chase her dogs down the street. My best friend living right around the corner. I am loving the change in our lives right now, but know that each and every one of you goes with us on our journey, in our hearts and our minds. Forever.
