Leaving–For Awhile

Today I’m packing up my car, driving south for a few hours and ending my journey in a sweet, little place with a very dear friend.  I'm going by myself but I won't be by myself for long!  A treasured friend is driving north from her home and we will spend the next few days together.  We've planned time together for long, cozy chats, excursions out and about, a bit of antiquing and places not seen before.  The world of blog brings people together.  Never in my wildest imagination did I ever realize how precious new friendships could be when hearts connect online.  My dear friend, Jane, of Tickleberry Farm has become such a friend.  Our friendship has grown from words online through our blogs and emails to personal face-to-face meetings and phone calls and hearts shared through thick and thin.  Today she will drive north from her home and I will drive south from mine.  And we will meet – in the middle.

I love how God allows plans to be made and times to be marked off on the calendar long before we know how very much we will need to get away at the time planned.  Our home is still filled with our dear ones.  Life has settled into new routines with our daughter and her four children here.  But the time has come for me to leave – for awhile.  A long-planned, much-needed time away begins today.  Hugs and smiles and laughter – and maybe a few tears – wait at the end of the journey.  Deep thoughts and memories and more smiles will find their way home in our hearts when we return.