as i think about moving and the effects it has on everyone i've come to some conclusions:

it's always much harder on the leavEE (i know, not a word) than the leavER. the person who has made this decision to leave, be it a move or a visit away or something, has been mentally preparing for this. they decided to make changes and expect things to be different. the poor leavEE didn't make any such decision to make changes in their life and yet, they still must feel the consequences of a choice made by another.

so, let me just say this, as the leavER i've been planning this for quite some time. and though i've let everyone in on our plans for many months i know it's still different for my friends and family that i'm leaving behind. i'm getting ready for a new adventure and will be so busy getting settled in and exploring my new area and making new friends for awhile that it will probably take a little time to settle in that i've left so many of the people i love behind. i mean, i know that intellectually right now, but i will be too busy for a while to really feel it. at the same time i can hear the sad and hurt from the people i love as they tell me how hard it's going to be for them to see us go. 

i want you, please, to know that though i'm not overly emotional, i do feel the same way you do. it's just a different process for me, on this side. i'm also very very grateful to know that i am loved and that we'll be missed. leaving the people i love here is really the only hard part of leaving for me. the only thing sadder than leaving is leaving and having no one to miss and no one who will miss you. 

so, thank you for caring! thank you for making this just a little difficult to leave. :)