Moving Away

About a year ago we had a some new "back yard" neighbors move in. At first it was two guys about the same age as me and Jamey. Very shortly thereafter, one of the guys moved out and the other guys girlfriend and her 6 year old daughter moved in. The little girl, Bailey and Riley became instant friends and she comes over to play almost every weekend for hours at a time.

Yesterday afternoon the familiar knock on the back door came and it was Bailey but she had news that this would be the last time she would get to play with Riley because she and her mom are moving away. I was heartbroken for her...her little eyes were so sad. (I will hold my tongue about my thoughts on introducing children to people the parents are dating and my thoughts on living with someone when children are involved...I do not know what their situation was....just how sad Bailey acted.)

I decided that we should make their last play date special so I did the best I could with just a few minutes notice. I let Bailey stay longer than normal, catered special snacks for the kids in the yard, played hide and seek with them, snapped a few pictures of the girls together and gave both girls a copy before Bailey left. I also wrote Bailey's mom a note with our address so that maybe with our help the girls could be pen pals...that would be so much fun for the girls!!!!

When Bailey left Riley fell apart! She kept crying and saying over and over that she would always remember Bailey. She also kept asking if her and Bailey would always be friends. It was heartbreaking for me that her little heart was broken!!!! I told her the story of one of my friends moving away when I was younger and that we wrote letters and that I will always remember her. After about an hour off and on she hung the picture on the refrigerator and seemed to be okay.

If only we could protect our children from all heartache!!!!