Last night we had a going away party, which turned out to be a wonderful cross between a wedding reception, a funeral, and a pool party cookout. People were wishing us luck, congratulating us, and expressing sympathy to our families. Kind of trippy, but in a really warm and fuzzy way. Plus, there was potluck, and if there’s one thing I truly believe, it’s that the best parties have potluck.
I am realizing that one of the great benefits of moving away is the chance to feel a swell of love and support from your home base. I remember DeDe telling me something similar when she moved back from Phoenix, something to the effect of not realizing how much you really are loved until you are leaving.
So, my advice to you is to either move far away, or tell everyone that you are moving far away and then sit back and reap the flow of love until your cup runneth over.
I went to bed last night tired and sore, but instead of sleeping I laid in the quiet dark and thought of each and every person at the party. I tried to remember everything that was said and everything that I felt. And even though I wanted to sleep, I thought of them all again. And then again. And then one more time for good measure.
I was overwhelmed with a few simple thoughts:
I am rich with incredible, interesting, and generous friends. And I am rich with family who are my also some of my dearest friends—kind, fun, ready to help, and ready to let go even when they’d prefer not to.
Then eventually, before I finally gave way to sleep around 4:00 a.m., I thought about how I bought hamburger and hot dog buns for the bring-your-own-meat, grill-your-own-meat part of the party and realized that I have 62 hamburger buns left over. Which means that I am also rich with hamburger buns.
Hey, I just got an idea about what to use in my giveaway!
I think I’m in denial. We’re really going to miss you guys. Thanks for the fun party.
you feel loved now? just wait for the welcome committee party (I may comprise the whole committee) that will take place over Labor Day weekend. I promise baked goods will be involved!
but seriously, nothing makes me feel more loved and appreciated and want to stay put than a fantastic going away party and nothing makes me want to move more than wanting to have a going away party so people can tell me I will be missed
oh, i wish i could have been there. i remember my going away party…very fondly. good luck, my friend. you will do well!
What a wonderful party, and a lovely post. When we moved across the country, we had our wedding just weeks before the big move, so the wedding felt like a big going away party. It meant so much to see all our family and friends gathered around us, wishing us well, and telling us how much they’d miss us. I’m so glad you had a party– those are memories you’ll cherish forever.
i’m wishing i would have “met” you about 10 years ago. i think we could have been tearing it up all these years.
good thing they have teh internets in delaware….
I feel so fortunate to be included with those who know and love you. It really was a great party! To deal with this whole moving thing, I think I have finally found a way to cope! I have been brushing up on my imagination skills and have decided to pretend that you will still just be down the street. The street may be a lot longer and take me more time to get to, but you will still be there on the other side of the door when I knock.
PARKER WOULD HAVE LOVED THE PARTY!!!! (Moment of silence please!)
We had a really nice evening. The girls loved the pool. What a great place to have a party. May I say, the neatest device of the evening though, had to be the tablecloth clips! Where did you find those! YOU are so cutting edge!
You guys are the best!
Thank you for the invite, I wish I would have been there. I love hamburger buns.
and I love how you drink in the details of your life. especially when you do it in the middle of the night.
love ya!
I am glad you guys had a great time. I wish I could have been there. I love how you loved remembering every conversation…I do the same thing, only I make Kyle replay it with me (he hates it).
ps. take me off your giveaway.
I am sure you could think of something creative to do with all of those hamburger buns. Hope you have a good move, we will miss you the Cafe Rio Blogger Home Evenings.
Seriously, I was thinking exactly what Mindi said. Which just means that when you come to Utah for a visit, you need to hang out with us!
Wah. We missed your party! We were all so sad to miss it. May I suggest finding some wild birds to feed buns to? Seagulls maybe? Do you have some local seagulls that would enjoy handouts? Maybe you should hide the buns in random places throughout your house as kind of a welcome gift to the new owners. You know, like under the dishwasher, behind the fridge, in the cupboards, in the bathroom, in the flower beds etc.
I am sooo bummed I missed it. We should have just skipped the vacay.