I am blessed to have some wonderful friends in my life.  One of them in particular is like a sister to me.  She met Dan before I did.  She has always supported my relationship with Dan and my marriage.  We've gone on trips together,  I was in the hospital room when she gave birth to her first child, our kids play together like cousins.  It's a beautiful thing.  She is one of those woman that everyone loves.  She has a personality the size of Texas.  

I heard a song on the radio yesterday and immediately thought of her and decided to take a minute to call her and tell her how much I love her.  (Don't you just love being a woman).   She answered and immediately choked up.  I told her why I was calling and the floodgates of emotion opened up inside of her.  She revealed to me that she was terribly sad and upset that I was moving; moving to Texas from California was one thing but now to Paris, it was just too much for her.  She hates change and is not a fan of flying.

 I felt terrible listening to her heart bubble over with emotion, I didn't have the words to help her.  I am in a strange place with my emotions right now.  This move seems very surreal to me.  I have a list a mile long and my days consist of checking things off of it.  My focus is on the finish line (Paris) and my emotions have been put in a little box somewhere inside of me where I can't see them and I don't dare look for them or try and open them up until I am settled in Paris.   

So here I was with my dear friend in a puddle before me and all I could say was "Oh sweetie, I know, I know, you can call me, we can skype, you are coming out in six months, remember?"  I felt so useless. 

I feel the need to say to my sweet friend Claire and to all of  my family and friends that all of your kind words, thoughts, prayers, emails, phone calls and coffee dates mean the world to me.  They along with God's grace have sustained me during this exciting and often challenging adventure.  I know that for many of you, this decision to move leaves a bittersweet taste in your mouth.  Thank you for focusing on the sweetness of this decision. 

I also want to thank my new "blog friends" who found me and pour out their support, excitement and encouragement.  It's a whole new world that has opened up to me and I am tickled  to be a part of it.