this summer = people leaving.

Marta, my mother-in-law, passed away.

Good friends Dwan & Jordan, Madeline and Alex moved to NC last week...after putting in their 2 weeks notice.

Katie, our trusted and reliable and super-available babysitter is moving to college and is therefore no longer available.

My sister, Hope, is moving to California on Tuesday to begin her college days.

Uncle Skip & Aunt Janet and all their kiddos are moving to FL before September 1. I found this out yesterday.

We moved into a house in a different part of town this month. The kids start at a new school on Monday. We have a new puppy.

Hardly anything feels familiar. I feel a bit lonely and disoriented.

Change is part of life. I take a step back and observe the events of this summer and say to myself, "Wow! It's no wonder you feel sadness and grief, Autumn. Your feelings are appropriate." I welcome these feelings and allow them to be. I cry. And I am living in the moment.

There is something healing about embracing what is.