melancholy

Jutta is gone, so it's been a sad day for me. Last night's dinner went well, although the packers took way longer than anticipated to finish packing up their stuff, so they got here a lot later than we thought they would. As a result, they could only stay for about an hour and a half, much to my disappointment. But, they enjoyed the home-cooked meal and we had lots of good conversation, and took some photos and video. Jutta gave me the most wonderful gift - it's a figurine called "two alike", of two women standing back to back with their hands touching. It's so perfect, because we really are alike in so many ways! It's such a touching gift, and it's going to be wonderful to have a tangible object that will remind me of Jutta and our friendship every time I look at it. It was bittersweet to watch the boys play together for one last time - they had a crazy, raucous, great time, as usual! Little buddies. When the time came for them to leave and Jutta hugged me, I pretty much broke down and then cried for a while after they drove off. It was so very hard for me to say goodbye to her. But, I'll be OK. As my Dad always says: This, too, shall pass.