Parting

My daughter's best friend is moving to North Carolina. I, as a born and whitebread northerner, can't quite fathom moving to North Carolina on purpose. On the other hand, I'm sure that those that live in an area of the county in which the weather doesn't suck can't really grasp choosing to remain in wetville.

Regardless, it's sad always when friends leave -- and harder when, like Mackenzie, you are at that most malleable and tender age (just about to turn 15). I know this hurts my daughter; and I know it disturbs and scares her friend, too.

Sadly, her friend is showing her own fears and trepidations by becoming more distant, and by denying the reality.

I moved when I was 10, and that was traumatic enough. My parents never told me we were moving (I think they just wanted to save me the pre-move stress) -- they literally simply told me one day to get in the car, and we drove to our new house. "This is your new bedroom" they told me; "these kids in the neighborhood will be your new friends".

Huh. Never saw that coming.

On the other hand, as we arrived, there was a baseball game going on the street (remember when kids used to just get up games in the street?) right in front of our house. Pretty cool, I remember; and I had my glove on and was playing within a few minutes of arriving. I think moves like this are easier on boys.

Michael's best friend just moved away this summer, too -- to Florida. Hard on both the kids. I really feel for them; and I don't know how to make it any easier for them....especially Michael, since he is not nearly as social as his sister (although even Miss Manners is probably not nearly as social), and has a harder time making new friends.