The Final Week

Ah, it's been quite a week, leading up to today. Lots of "final" moments, many goodbyes. Last day of art class at school. Last walk up and down the hill from school. The School Board had a really sweet goodbye dinner for us at Tuscany, which included some lovely parting prizes for both Chris and I, including several photos from local photographer Claudia Schaeffer. The next evening Chris and I had the most wonderful dinner with dear friends at Blue Eyed Mary's, my personal favorite on Bowen. Incredible food, incredible friends. A blessing. Sunday saw us at church and a fabulous church potluck (these people can cook!). After a hard day of packing (while our kids were blissfully at a friends for a final playdate), we had dinner with friends on Bowen. Monday we spent the day packing like mad, Siena in school all day (to her great delight), Sterling quite sick at home in bed (really, Sterling, I'll let you go to school if you want, even though you are sick. No, Mom, I want to sleep). It was a crazy day, early to bed, so exhausted, so overwhelmed by what is left and what today means. And then here we are, on the day we will leave. It is almost more than can be borne.