Transitions bring mixed emotions

Making transitions in life often brings about different emotions.
Three special people in my circle of friends are preparing to make changes. Changes I consider major. They are excited, but I’m taking a wait and see attitude.
One is making a major move. She’s packing her belonging and leaving Southeast Missouri for metropolitan Kansas City. She’ll be living near her grandson, but she’ll be leaving behind her friends. She assures everyone it will be a good move. There will be more museums and libraries as well as more opportunities in which she can become involved. Her grandson will not have to take off work when she needs a medical procedure or he wants to visit her in person.
She’s right about those things, but her friends are not looking forward to the separation. She keeps emphasizing, she’ll only be a phone call away, but I don’t think FaceTiming Saturday morning brunch or going out to eat after book club will be the same.
We’ve assured her if she decides to move “home,” we’ll caravan our vehicles and bring her back.
A second friend will soon retire. I have no doubt she’ll enjoy more time with the grandchildren and traveling with her husband. I have a feeling this friend will eventually find a cause in which to become involved. I mean there’s only so much time you can spend on the beach, reading a book, jogging or watching grandchildren.
The third friend is stepping out and altering her life by opening her own business. I will truly miss her creative ideas as well as sounding ideas and projects off her brain. While we often saw the world from different views, it’s been great being confidants.
While they transform their lives, I’ll grow accustomed to not having them in my daily life as much. I will miss them.
Arrivederci, au revoir, adios, cheerio, Auf Wiedersehen, Bobbie, Mary Ann and Bridget. You each have my number and email, keep in touch.
Barbara Horton is a staff writer for the Daily American Republic and can be reached at bhorton.dar@gmail.com.