the beginning of goodbye

i'm trying as hard as i can to not start to detach myself from my life here. i'm staying engaged at work (mostly), still putting effort into the activities i'm involved with at church, still making time for friends, still cleaning and decorating my apartment...but i can't help but feel that i've hit the beginning of the end.

i'm not really sure how long this goodbye will last. it might be a few more weeks or it might be another year. but i do feel a distinct sense that my time here in New Orleans is coming to a close. i think acknowledging the end can be good. it gives you an opportunity to really appreciate what you have around you. for me, this includes more walks in Audubon Park, more nights at The Columns, plenty of jazz on Frenchmen St, finally eating at Cochon, perfecting my red beans and rice recipe, buying something wonderful from one of the antique shops on Magazine, and of course, above and beyond all this, spending the most quality time with my loved ones here.

the key to saying goodbye, over any length of time, is living in the moment. don't dread the goodbyes and certainly don't avoid them. never be too anxious to move on. sit in your blessings and savour. a friend once encouraged me to make sure that i lived so that there was plenty to miss everytime i left. and trust me, there will be plenty to miss about this place.