SLICE OF LIFE

Me, Terri, Laura, Brenna, and Karen

Today is a happysad kind of day.

It's a happy day because my book club is getting together.

Book club. My home girls. 

We'll meet at the Botanic Gardens. Grab a bite to eat. Tour the Chihuly Glass Exhibit, first in daylight and then later, we hope, if it doesn't rain, after it gets dark.

We are all bringing book titles. We'll choose a few books and set dates for the next few months (and no, we are not one of those formal book clubs that chooses books a year in advance and meets on the first Tuesday of every month). 

We'll probably talk about books. We have been meaning to talk about the INVENTION OF WINGS for the last three months.

We'll talk about aging parents. A friend who is going through a yucky divorce. The miracle that occurred last week when my rental property sold last Friday after less than 24 hours on the market.

There will probably be wine. A little. There usually is.

There will be laughter. A lot. There usually is.

And there will be connection. A whole lot. There always is.

But it will be a sad day too.

It's a sad day because today we are getting together to say goodbye to our dear, dear friend, and fellow book sister Laura. Laura leaves on Friday. She is headed to Shekou, close to Hong Kong, where she will take on a new job as director of curriculum and professional development for International School Services.  

And she will be gone for about two years.

She'll come back once in a while to see her husband, who is staying here. But she can only be in the United States 35 days in the next year.

And I'll miss her like crazy.

Laura is my biggest cheerleader. She's one of those people who still sends cards. Once or twice a month, or if stuff is hard, once or twice a week. She's walked with me through job issues, and offspring issues, and my mom's health issues. Really just about any issue in the last twenty plus years.

Laura is one of those amazing people who throws parties that look like they are straight out of a magazine.  A Santa Lucia smorgasboard at Christmas. A barbeque, complete with red, white, and blue everything for Fourth of July. Birthday dinners. "Just come over, Carol, because I love to cook," parties.

Laura is my favorite movie friend. And coffee friend. And ice cream friend. In fact, when it boils right down to it, Laura is just about my favorite everything kind of friend.

And on Friday, she is leaving for a very long time.

I'm happy for Laura because this is a job she really wanted.

And I'm sad for me, because I will really, really miss her.

Today is a happysad kind of day.