How awkward would it have been, if:

Us: “…so we’re moving out of the country.”
Everyone else: “Good!”

Ah jeez! Ha! It’s not like I thought THAT was going to happen. I knew that us leaving would disrupt a few things for a few people.

But I didn’t expect to be shown the depth of kindness and love that we have been.

So many parties and get togethers! So many friends coming in from out of town! Abundant gifts, and letters, and well-wishes!

Considering my personal history, in the set of {things in my life that have made me want to be kind to others}, the outpouring of friendship we’ve received over the past few days tops the list. I resolve to be as kind to others as people have been to our family over the past few weeks.

We have so many special friendships – people who have made deep marks in us, who we will take with us in our hearts wherever we go in the world. To celebrate our little cul-de-sac gang of kids, the Barlow Bruisers, we commissioned an artist to design a tee.

I was in charge of choosing the artist, so I went with a specialist in skulls, flames, blood, teeth, and so on. Our rather tame design goals combined with his bold style produced:

Though I love it, Jen rightly pointed out that it was a bit too ominous for a kid’s tee… You know, since the scene sorta feels like something is about to leap out and slaughter the kids? So I had to take another go:

In the end, we can’t possibly thank everyone who ought to be thanked. Or, as Bilbo Baggins put it,

“I don’t know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.”

– LOTR, of course

Still, a special thanks goes to my coworkers, especially MC, who somehow convinced the rest of them to say nice things about me, and then put it all together in a hand-made book, decorated with her own incredible artwork:

Truly, we will forever be grateful for the many kindnesses showered upon us. Thank you everyone.

---

From Pooh's Grand Adventure, the Search for Christopher Robin: 

Christopher Robin: "Pooh Bear, what if someday there came a tomorrow when we were apart?"

Pooh: "As long as we're apart together, we shall certainly be fine."

CR: "Yes, yes, of course. But if, if we weren't together... if i were somewhere else?"

P: "Oh, but you really couldn't be, as I would be quite lost without you. Who would I call on those days when I'm just not strong enough or brave enough?"

CR: "Well, actually..."

P: "And who would I ask for advice when I didn't know which way to turn?"

CR: "Pooh, we..."

P: "We... we simply wouldn't be."

CR: "Oh, Pooh. If ever there's a tomorrow when we're not together, there's something you must remember."

P: "And what might that be, Christopher Robin?"

CR: "You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think."

P: "Oh, that's easy. We're braver than a bee, and, uh, longer than a tree, and taller than a goose... or, uh, was that a moose?"

CR: "No, silly, old bear! You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is even if we're apart, I'll always be with you. I'll always be with you. I'll always be with you."