Goodbyes and See Ya Laters

09/09/09 has been a pretty good day...well, except for the two cavities the dentist found...but other than that, a good day.  Of course, I've been thinking quite a bit about my coming departure from California.  These huge moves take a lot out of you...physically and emotionally.  It's hard to leave the life you've built in one place, even when the life to which you're going is just as wonderful...in a different way.  Moves always bring lots of "See ya laters" to the people with whom you know you'll do your best to keep in touch...but there are also always a number of "Goodbyes" to the people you know you'll likely never see again.  It's not exactly a bad thing because it's just a normal part of this ever-changing life - it's impossible to keep in touch with absolutely every person you've encountered (though Facebook tries it's darnedest) - but it still makes my heart ache a bit.  I'm more than a little sentimental, so I do sincerely cherish the people who have touched my life in a positive way...and there have been a lot here in Los Angeles and Orange County.  Some of them are older, some of them are younger...many of them are vastly different from me, but simply knowing them has given me the opportunity to grow in ways the would have otherwise not been possible.  Yes, I'm a small town, Southern girl at heart, but I'll always hold a special love for this city.  It's never quite been my home, but because of the people, it's been a welcoming and comfortable home away from home...one I'll most certainly be back to visit as soon as I get the chance.

So, keep me in your thoughts over the next few weeks as I prepare for my move, and I start my series of "Goodbyes" and "See ya laters."  I'll be taking little parts of a number of special people with me...hopefully, I'll be leaving something positive and lasting behind in return.