The one left behind.

It's been a great first six months of the year.
It's been a usual first six months of the year.
It's all changed now as I become the one left behind to continue living in London and the others have moved on to more exciting adventures.

Living in the expat community, even though we are locals, means that there are people moving in and out of our lives each year. It affects my life on so many levels.

Lisbon, 2014

London, 2015

Stockholm, 2015

Berlin, 2016

Aberdeen, 2017

Madrid, 2017

Ojo Caliente, 2017

Taos, 2017

We have been here for 4 years, so far. It has been fantastic. I am so lucky with the people I have met and all the friends that I have found/made. I am truly blessed to have so many close friends to share the good times and the bad times with. I am a social person and I get my energy from being around other people that "get me."

Even though we live abroad, we live the day to day life like a local. This is our neighborhood. This is having the coffee shop know you and know how you like your coffee, it's the butcher, the shopkeepers, the way the pavement is uneven on your walk to school that makes the small things in life become your base and comfort zone.

I have the routine of walking to school with friends and getting the morning chit chat to start the day off right. It's getting to school and seeing the other moms and then we might go for a coffee to just add to the chit chat. Then the routine happens in reverse at the end of the day to pick up the kids. It is all comforting.  I have had these routines for 4 years.

Yes, each year some people move and leave London and I most likely won't see them again in real life unless they come for a visit to London but I will do my best to keep in contact through Facebook.

But the ones I need in my (daily) life have now all moved away. It's the core group who first welcomed me to London and just thinking of all that we have done in the past 4 years in that day to day life is what hurts the most. (OK, a quick pause to get the tissues and pat my eyes)

(I'm back.)

They have left London but each of them has left their mark and I will be reminded of them daily as I go about local life. Walking past Charm's house, walking past Avery's house and now walking past Kristina's street, Cris's house and Michelle's house will bring a smile with a tinge of sadness to my face. It will be hard in the beginning but I know it will get easier.  Although the geographic distance between us is great, the connection to them is still very local and I appreciate their friendship every day especially when I am reminded of them going about the daily life here in London.

When I walk down the High Road past Gail's Bakery, I look at the outside table on the corner and always think of Avery and it's been 3 years since she moved.  Almost every time, I glance in the window at Kitchen and Pantry to see if Zulma is sitting in there working on her computer and always feel a sense of loss that she is not there but I also think of the good times we have had and the next time we are going to meet. I will have to continue to eat gelato at Oddono's at least once a week, it will be hard but someone has to do it.

Charm's old house

Zulma's street

Any chance, Zulma is in there?

Always a smile when I think of the times Avery was sitting there. 

Everyone's favorite gelato place

Kristina's street (and Angie's little food shop across the road)

Coffee shop on the way to school.

Michelle's house

The upside to all of this is that I have a few new places and countries to visit in the coming months. (I hope they have the spare bedroom ready for me.) That is very exciting.

The down side has been all the "lasts" that we have had the past few weeks. Last walk to school. Last time at the coffee shops. Last "goodbye" or "see you soon." Last time to enjoy the city. Last night at the pub.  The combination of happiness and sorrow at each of these "lasts" is so bittersweet.

Last lunch Cris, Michelle and me.

Last brunch at the Holst House.

So many good times with Kristina and Magnus! 

Chiswick, June 2018 (last picture of all of us living in London)

The emotion is so raw. It's the end of an era. I am the one left behind.  

Luckily for me and for them, our friendships will just continue in a new and improved way. 
Of that, I am sure. 

FRIENDSHIP. LOVED. CHANGES. 

NEW ADVENTURES. 

GRATEFUL FOR WHAT I HAVE. 

MEMORIES. LAUGHING. CRYING. FRIENDS.

LIVE EACH DAY. 

BRING JOY TO OTHERS.