Time To Say Goodbye

Friday night I went to a going away party for my friend and work colleague, Ana.  She is going to grad school in Philly before moving to some TBD third world country where she will no doubt save the world.  I'm still slightly in denial, she doesn't leave until sometime in August allowing us at least three more "hang out" days.

Tonight, I have yet another send off party for my friend's Kathy and Jon.  They are also moving in August, to the unfortunate state of Michigan (sorry if I've offended but there's a rivalry that no one can deny).  In both circumstances I have channeled my sadness the only way I can, by planning a trip to visit. 

This is a wonderful form of therapy.  I love road trips, new places, small towns, big cities and adventure (as long as there is indoor plumbing and plenty of central air), so planning a trip seems like a no brainer.  And since graduating from college I have gone to Seattle, Denver, Nashville, State College, PA, Boston, Marysville and Reynoldsburg, and possibly some other places I'm forgetting, all to visit friends.

I realize that I live in Columbus and that I listed Marysville and Reynoldsburg, but I feel it's only right.  They are twenty-five minutes away and with today's gas prices I count them as road trips. 

So, on the bright side, I will get to visit Grand Rapids, Michigan (just named by Money magazine as one of the best small towns in the US!) and Philadelphia in the coming year. 

But the bright side is a little to rosy for me, I have to give these glasses a rest.  In reality it really sucks to say goodbye to friends.  People who support you and make you laugh and laugh at you, I mean with you.  And staying in touch is hard.  There's a reason why I've only listed places I've visited friends since college, because I didn't stay in touch with people before that.  I always have great intentions, but it's kind of tricky to stay in touch without addresses and phone numbers.  It's always slipped my mind on graduation day to go up to the people I've seen every day for four years and get their contact information.  Pictures, yes.  Data, no. 

And I also have an aversion to talking on the phone for long periods of time (this began when I missed a trip to go sledding during a snow day in fifth grade because I was talking on the phone for hours about boys).  Not to mention who sends real mail anymore and people really don't communicate well by e-mail. 

Now, I know what you're thinking...Facebook.  Well, frankly it annoys me.  I don't feel closer to people when I get on Facebook, although I could write a bloody good report about them for school and make sure they have not been kidnapped or hospitalized if they haven't returned my phone calls.  I can hear your gasp as you read this and I know I am ridiculous, but maybe God will change me. 

All kidding aside, I know that when God moves people he also grows people.  My friends who have moved away have found a new reliance on Jesus that they never would have had if they had stayed.  And I have learned to rely on him through the loneliness that fills the time we used to spend together and as I battle my fears as I  meet new people and develop new friendships.

So, it's "go" time again, time to be stretched, time to step outside of my comfort zone.