no whining allowed!

How can I be sad when they are this happy, right?

I'm still alive.  It's amazing how that happens.  Life just goes on... but in my case, with the help of friends! 

Denise and Connie called several times to check on me.  Denise's own son had been here vacationing for two weeks and was going back to New York City today, so we didn't do our Tuesday lunch because she was having her own "Mom experience" going to lunch one last time with Jeremy. 

So, Carol and I went to lunch! It was so good to visit with Carol.  She made me laugh out loud a few times, which was just what I needed.   What I didn't need was the Molten Lava Cake that I told myself I'd earned.  WHAT was I thinking?  Punish myself more?  Note to self:  NO more chocolate!

I had my teary moments off and on all day long.  I really don't think that this has all sunken in yet.  More and more each minute, but I can't be unhappy when I see how happy Liza and Buddy were.  I enjoyed our short little visit before they left.  As I was hugging Buddy good-bye, I said, "Do you know how much I love you?"  He said, "Are you sure you still do?"  I do.  Eversomuch!   Liza had dated a young man before she met Buddy, who was in the military and was going to be stationed in Germany.  That scared me to death!  We've joked for years that Buddy had to stay in the valley with Liza.  When they told me about this move, a few months ago, and several times since, Buddy has said, "Hey!  At least it's not Germany!"  Thankfully!

I remember my mother the day that I left Florida to come to Utah.  This was long before 9/11 and airport security.  She came right onto the plane with me that Christmas afternoon in 1976.  As I was getting situated in my seat,  I pushed the little button that leans the seat back.  There were two buttons there.  Mom teased, "That second one is to eject you out of the plane if you give the stewardess a bad time."  It was the comic relief that we needed.  We laughed and hugged and said goodbye.  I never once even thought about it again.  I never asked Mom is she bawled all the way to her car in the Miami International Airport.  But, today, I know she did.

So, as Liza and I were hugging and doing our little "Mwah-Mwah-Mwah" kiss on the cheek ritual, I said, "I'll see you in 36 days, and if we don't count today, it's 35 and if we don't count the day we see each other it's 34 and it we don't count the day before that...."  We both laughed.  And cried.  It was a tender moment.

I was very touched by the babes all day.  Several times during the day, they each came to me, wherever I was in the house and touched me gently, saying things like, "I'm sorry you're having a hard day, Mom."  "It's going to be okay, Mom.  They'll be back."  Good kids.  I heart them!

And then came the highlight of my day...After lunch, I came home and posted on Facebook that Liza and Buddy would be inVegas in time for dinner.  One of my blogging/facebook friends, Melanie, posted that she should hang a sign on the I-80 Freeway Bridge telling them to TURN AROUND!  We posted a few things back and forth and before you know it, I was on the phone to Buddy and Liza, asking where they were.  They were almost to Melanie's town in Central Utah.  Melanie and I were texting back and forth and she said, "Tell them to slow down!  Waaaaaaay down!"  I called them and said, "Pull over!"  (They were almost to the bridge.)  Buddy asked, "What for?"  I said, "Because you love me!  Pull over!  Wait five minutes right there.  They thought I'd lost it, but they waited.  In three minutes, Melanie texted me that they were ready, so I gave the go-ahead.

Liza and Buddy started driving again until they came to the next exit, which had an overpass on I-80.  I was on the phone with them as they drove toward the bridge, as they read this huge sign, "LIZA AND BUDDY! GO HOME!"   They laughed soooooooo hard and kept saying "HOW did you do that?!"   I had been bawling 20 minutes before and now was laughing till I cried.  Liza and Buddy got off the exit, turned around and went to give my cyber-friend the hug that I've never even had the opportunity to do myself!  It had made their day, too!  We all laughed so hard.  Also, in chatting with Melanie to hear her side of the story, we discovered that she is one of Buddy's relatives from the same little town that his parents live in!  SMALL, SMALL world! 

  

I was so so touched that a friend would race to do something like that for us. Melanie truly touched my heart and made my day!  THANK YOU, THANK YOU, Melanie!!!

Later in the day, I jokingly texted Liza, "Can I borrow your card table for the shower?"  (We both own one and share them with each other often.)  I was teasing!  A few minutes later, Buddy called to tell me that he'd left it at his mom's because he knew I'd need it.  They were just pulling into Vegas.

A few minutes ago, Liza sent me a video of Oops having a ball on his very own hotel bed..  (Did you know they charge $100 extra for pets?!)  They had a great day.  They are tired and ready for bed and will text me in the morning when they hit the road for the rest of their journey.  They should be in Tempe by afternoon and will be able to unload everything before dark.  And so it begins...their new life.

Tonight, I'm much more up about it all.  I knew that I'd need a good day to cry.   And again, I did not need that chocolate! Seriously.  Tonight, I'm kicking myself and have been so dang sick all afternoon.  I'm learning. And when I resist learning, my tummy reminds me quickly!

I'm so grateful for Melanie's quick wit and efforts to make my day, for good friends calling, texting and stopping in to hold my hand today, for Doug and the babes' sweet concern, for Liza and Buddy's safety.  I miss them already, but, this is life. I have so much on my plate tomorrow.  I'm extremely thankful for this shower that I'm hosting on Thursday.  It will keep my mind busy!  So much to do!  So little time to feel sad.  So, I can focus on how excited Buddy and Liza are and stay on top of the shower stuff.  Plus, I'm going to see The Help!  I loved the book!  Can't wait to see the movie!  Life is good!

Every action in our lives touches on some chord that will vibrate in eternity.  

Comments

[dawnmercedes]

I love cyber friends!!

[susan]

I just opted to post this on FB...this friend needs to be recognized.

[susan]

oh my goodness...what an amazing friend to make and hang a sign like that. Truly inspirational. Cannot wait to retell this story every day, everywhere.

[Cindy Thomas]

BIG HUGS!!! I understand exactly how you are feeling...we packed our girl up 2 years ago to upstate New York and I sobbed all the way home after we had finished packing the truck so she could leave early the next morning...my heart felt like it was totally breaking...yet I was thrilled that she was starting a new chapter in her journey...she is 11 hours from us and at least 4 by plane and then more driving to get to her. Just know that there will be something that triggers your tears and just let it happen and then you will hear from her and smile because she is so happy.

[Marilyn]

That sign is the funniest thing EVER! Loved it! Just what a mother's aching heart needed!

[Lucy Araujo]

Sophia....I cried and laughed and cried some more just reading your blog. You have been on my mind and in my heart for the last few days....more so than usual....and I just wish that I was close enough to stop by, give you a hug and let you know what a wonderful person, Mom, wife, sister, aunt, cousin, daughter, friend.....(the list goes on!)....that you are!!

Thank you for sharing so much of yourself and your family with us. I've learned so many wonderful lessons from you all.

Hugs.....Lucy from Toronto, Ontario, Canada

[Melanie]

Awwww... It was my pleasure! And that's such a boring stretch along I-15 so I'm happy to brighten things up a bit! I would love to compare geneology stories with Buddy to see how far back we go. What a small world indeed!