It's always a little bittersweet

Last evening our middle school team had a track meet.  Catherine wasn't participating as they could only have two entries per event, but it was the only ms track meet all this season where our former school could be there.  I decided Catherine and I would go and support both of the teams.

It's such a bittersweet experience for me though.  I know very, very few of the names of Catherine's classmates, and while she does have some friends on the team, most of them weren't participating either so she didn't really know the names either.  In the meantime, I watched Aiden win the 100m dash.  I've known Aiden since she was in Kindergarten and she and her eight brothers (yes, eight!) are nine of my most favorite people in the world.  I was so happy to see and hug her parents at the meet.  I was able to see Clara win the 1600m run and Ryan win the boys' side of the same race.  I love Clara and Ryan...they are great kids!  Our very good friend Amanda is one of the coaches, and I was just so happy to see so many friendly faces.  It always makes me so happy.

And yet, it puts a hole in my heart as well.  I was in the middle of watching the kids grow up, and I knew their siblings and parents (and in some cases grandparents!).  We were such a part of the community there, and that isn't happening there.  As I told Aiden's parents last night, sometimes I think Andrew is counting down until Thomas graduates so that we can move back.

At the same time, Andrew and I both agree that we wouldn't change this move for anything.  THIS is where the kids need to be for school.  We have absolute certainty about that.  As far as an educational environment, this can't be beat.  And the kids all really love being here.  Thomas misses his friends at times, but we do what we can to get them together.  Overall, the kids have handled this move tremendously well and never looked back.  I am so grateful for that...and I truly am grateful that we are in this house and the kids are in these schools.  But sometimes, I get a little teary eyed about our friends and community we left behind.