The End of a Chapter

After months of mental preparations and weeks of wrapping my life up in New York, what had felt like a grueling 2+ months that was never going to end has finally came to a close. I've found a tenant just when I was going to give up, sold most of my furnitures, squared away my finances and said final goodbyes to friends in New York. The last day at work was difficult and stressful. Things went by in a blur. Saying goodbye is hard. I felt like I was this immature kid who went to New York six years ago and found a family at Weidlinger. Six years past, and I was grown (though probably not completely matured), but was ready to leave a comfortable nest and set out to explore the world. I have been so fortunated to have met so many wonderful friends in and out of work. Everyone has been so supportive and encouraging. I wish I had more time to talk to everyone at the party, but I wasn't at my 100% from weeks of stress at the end. I had so much to say but couldn't say it all.

Had a "heart to heart" with Annie before Sam came to pick her up. This is probably the last time I will see her, not knowing how long I will be away and if she will live until I come back. We had a good ten years together. She went everywhere with me and gave me so much love. I will miss her so very much.

Michael and Jamie came down with me to my parents' in Maryland today. We were like kids going on a roadtrip out of the noisy and hot city. It was great and I was a lot more relaxed today and able to joke a lot more. A big weight lifted off me after packing up the car and turned in my apartment key. Having Michael and Jamie's help made things so much easier, and once again I am counting my blessing for having such wonderful and caring friends.

Now I have a few more friends to see and goodbyes to say in Maryland, and hope to spend some quality time with mom and dad. Just as I know how sad it is for me to send off Annie, I can imagine how hard it is for my mom to see me go, but I won't ever truly understand unless I've had child of my own. It was so wonderful of her to cook up such a feast to feed my friends and I today.