MOVING DAY

It's 5:30 in the morning.  My wife and I are standing at the end of our driveway with our arms around each other's waists. 

"We are really going to miss them."
 
"Yes, we are."
 
"We couldn't ask for better neighbors and better friends."
 
"Yes, it is hard to imagine they will be gone soon."
 
Just then the engine of the moving van roars to life, headlights come on and the moving van slowly backs out of the driveway across the street from our home. 
 
"I just can't believe this is happening."
 
The moving van creaks and moans as it makes its way to toward our driveway.  The engine revs as it strains to move the contents and lives of twenty plus years as our dear neighbors.
 
The moving van stops in front of our driveway.  Kevin and Tamra step out to say goodbye.
 
"We are going to miss you."
 
"We are going to miss you as well.  We wish you all the best in your new adventure.  And thank you for being our friends and neighbors."
 
"We will get together real soon.  Maybe we can get together around July 4th when you are up north?  Please keep in touch."
 
Hugs and tears are exchanged.  Kevin and Tamra return to the moving van.  The van jerks forward and we wave goodbye. 
 
My wife and I stand there, holding each other until the moving van leaves our sight.  Our tears of sorrow now fall to the driveway below. 
 
In that moment, we both realize that a chapter in our lives has just drawn to a close, and what we took for granted as "normal" will never be normal again.
 
We have just said goodbye to our best neighbors and our very dear friends of twenty plus years.  Twenty years of barbecues, boat rides, home repairs of every imaginable sort, kids’ birthdays, Christmas celebrations, Thanksgivings, new cars, new jobs, high school graduations, a wedding, and riding out more than a few hurricanes.
 
My wife and I walked slowly back into our home.  We didn't say a word.  It wasn't necessary, for we both knew what we were thinking and feeling.
 
Life is a series of gains and losses.  Our gains tend to lull us to the expectation that the good times will continue.  Our losses remind us how precious and fleeting life can be at times.
 
Somewhere in between the pluses and minuses of each day, we come to realize that people and events come into our lives for many years or for just a moment.  They all contribute to our fulfillment, even though we may not realize it at the time.
 
It's moving day - moving from one moment to the next.  A seemingly endless process of life, love, and growth.
 
Until Next Friday,