My friend Leah sent me a link to a blog called The Grey Tree. The blogger and her family will leave their community to relocate to another community, an event that happens a lot in August as people settle in to their new home before the kids start school.

The blog post, titled Last Things,captured beautifully all the feelings of saying goodbye to familiar touchstones in a community. Here's an excerpt:

We spent the week or so prior doing a lot of “last things.” Well, really we were doing them all summer. And we’re still doing them. Last time we go to the regional farmers’ market together. Last time we have breakfast at that restaurant, have dinner at this one. Last ice cream at our favorite local spot. Last time I am on the campus of the university I just graduated from, last time I am on campus of the school where I have been teaching. Last time Gretchen is at her old office. Last visit to Isaac’s favorite parks. Last trip to the local library (which ended in Isaac crying in the parking lot about how sad he was to be leaving). The last time this and that and the other thing. Every day is full of them. Goodbyes and never-agains, the life we’ve created here almost over.

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