Mixed Emotions

Last night, Alyssa and I had planned this "goodbye" dinner for our father-in-law, Dan/Poppy. It was fun, as always, but kind of sad. He is leaving Monday for Florida....for good. He is officially retired. He has been here for 2 1/2 years finishing up his retirement. It was only supposed to be for a year, but....well...things just don't always go as planned. My mother-in-law, Carol/Mimi, has been in Florida by herself (well, not totally as my other BIL and two SIL live there, in the same neighborhood) and I know she has hated the separation. I would have. I have lived 13 months without my husband and it was not something I would care to ever repeat! However, from a completely selfish point of view, we are really going to miss him. Lily has this bond with her Poppy....she loves to snuggle up to him and just be close. He doesn't have to say anything....she doesn't have to say anything...she just loves being next to him...or sitting in his lap! In Trey's mind, Florida isn't that far...but I know once Poppy leaves, he will be asking when he is coming back and why we can't go to Florida....right now. Meghan will miss all the teasing Poppy does. I think the biggest fear I have for our family is that now that he is moving back, we just won't see them that often anymore. Life can get busy...as we all know...and expensive...so visits will be few and far between. That is where the selfish part comes in. I am so excited for Carol, but really sad at the same time. Change is hard...and we will adjust....again...but it still sucks.