Something I haven’t written about yet is the fact that Corinne and her family moved to Utah. It’s been a fairly major adjustment for me, because I made them a huge part of my life. I love them as much as I love any family member, and the truth is that I miss them terribly.

Thankfully, I have other people in my life. People that I love and treasure, and who help me feel useful and needed and who give me reasons to get out of my nearly daily funks. I’m still so much in a stage of “waiting to exhale” as I brace myself for various difficulties I’ve faced for the last few years.

Anyway, this last week had some very fun moments with these people I love. Next door is Kim. She’s a kindred spirit for sure, and I love how she has cultivated a friendship with me–someone older, no little kids–it would have been easy when she moved in 2 years ago for her to dismiss me as someone too different from her, but she hasn’t and I just love her.

I had her boys over for a Sunday afternoon while she got a nap and we had a great time.

My dear sister-friend Felicity is truly like a sister–I love the ease and fellowship that we have. It matters so much to me. She invited me over for the last-day-of-summer waterfest in her yard. What a blast. Wet hugs from her people, laughter, splashes and general goodness. I brought my camera, otherwise I totally wanted to join in. I told Felicity I needed to take some purely fun pics, and it was awesome. Two of the pictures I took got featured in some instagram, so that’s fun!

I am so glad that I have made a habit of keeping little children in my life during this transition time from when my own were small to having grandkids. I think it has kept me young, helped me stay happier, and is a good thing. I know little kids don’t do it for everyone, but they are essential to my sanity, I think.