Saying Goodbye, Saying Hello

I have had to say Goodbye a lot these last few days. There is absolutely nothing good about saying goodbye. As a matter-of-fact, it pretty much sucks. I have said goodbye to my Pastor, who is an awesome friend, (moving to Wisconsin), I have said goodbye to numerous kids whom I have watched grow up, like Lollie, Sarah and Taylor, all friends of Mandy's who will be leaving for college. I have said goodbye to Mandy, who has left for college and starting of her adult life. I have actually openly cried a lot this last weekend, Kris too.

I remember when I left home. I knew that I would not be coming back. I knew that I was headed away and would keep going on with my life. I have visited and called and stuff, but I never really came back. That is the feeling I got when I said goodbye to Mandy. She'll be off living her life enjoying, being, loving, but far away, just like I did. It seemed so final. I know her life is going to be so full and I am so very happy and sad all at the same time. I will hear about things happening, not get to witness them, I'll get pictures or video, not actually watch it unfold in front of me. I'll visit and get a snapshot of her life, not really participate in it. I know that I will be proud of all she accomplishes in life.

Maybe I am being melodramatic. I don't know or care right now. I just know it hurts and I miss her already.

Jessy will be back next week. What an adventure she has had! She will be living here for a few months, getting back on her feet and getting ready to attend college in Illinois. I am really going to enjoy these next few months before she goes off to her next adventure. They are all adventures for Jess! I have no idea how I will react when she leaves, not well, no doubt. I am amazed at the depth of passion she has for the disenfranchised, marginalized people of the world. Her heart is so big and I know she will always be helping someone.

Zach is next...who knows where he will be in 2 years. It will be unique with just me, mom, and Zach home. I am eager to see our relationship change and grow over the next few years. He is growing into a fine young man and I am proud of him.

Kris and I will soon have the luxury of redefining our relationship as our kids grow and move. I am looking forward to the time we will have to rediscover some things that all parents put on hold to raise their kids.

Dave

What I have been doing this summer

I went camping and hiking with Debbie and had a blast, we left on a Thursday morning and came home on that following Sunday. I showered only once can you believe that? The first hike we went on was about 4 miles and I learned I was a little out of shape, I usually blame that on my arthiritis. The following day was the big hike I think all together around 12 miles, It was a moderate to difficult trail haha, I would say more like medium to difficult, there was climbing up sides of mountains (well at least to me it was) like at 90 degree angles, mind you I am terrified of heights so I don't know for sure if it was that bad, there was a lot of big hills etc... I did freak out at one point and had a little anxiety attack, Debbie at first thought I was joking around but realized that it was not a joke and calmed me down. Half way to the mountain we were hiking to my legs were saying why are you torturing me? I said to them because Debbie walks/hikes like the energizer bunny, I seriously don't know anyone who could keep up with her. At one point she did turn around and asked me if she was walking too fast, I chuckled to myself and thought did she just ask me that? as a matter of fact I am laughing right now.
The next day we slowly walked around Two Harbors, the breakwater & the beach where we were skipping rocks and I am the master.
The reason why I say slowly is because I could barely move, everytime I got up from a sitting position I had to fight my body from collapsing. It was actually a little funny. I am so glad that I got away, it does the mind, body and soul good. I don't think I have ever laughed so much in my life, Debbie is really funny. I am hoping to go again next summer with her, but I don't know if I could do the big hike again depending on my knee.

Jamie and I decided to cleanup our upstairs deck, we washed it with mold & mildew cleaner and I was so suprised that the would was blonde colored, it was black. We stained it and it looks awesome. We still have to paint the railing put up lattice. Jamie is going to figure out how to put more of a roof over the top of it. I then get to make a little sanctuary, kind of like Ron's in his backyard, unfortunately I won't be able to grow the big trees and stuff, but I think ya get the idea. I now have to go camping again so I can get some rocks from the beach, Debbie did get some and I thought she is nuts but that is besides the point. hahah.

Other than that had the fourth at mom's, slept at Debbie's and had a fire, she makes a good fire. I am looking forward to Keith & Danielle's wedding and her bachelorette party.
I am going to go have lunch with Kathy Madison in a couple of weeks, I have not seen or spoke to her for close to 20 years.

The boys have been working a lot, I don't see much of Tyler he usually leaves when he gets home, it sucks cuz he is leaving between Aug 24th and Sept. 1st. Mom and Don did find a campground right by Fort Sam so at least he will have some family by him. Jamie and I will be going down there when he graduates from AIT. I do believe it will be in Jan.

Signing off now.

Love Jodi