"We are all wanderers on this earth...our hearts are full of wonder, and our souls are deep with dreams." ~ Gypsy proverb

Monday, January 23, 2012

how to say goodbye

whittling, bow and arrows, and an atl atl--a very productive weekend
this cutie belongs to our friends--it's even cuter on the inside!
a neighboring camper's '49 Chrysler
a home for ? I heard it, but never saw it...
best pot roast on the planet--thanks John!
lots of knitting, I can still smell the fire in the yarn :).
our campsite was minutes from the beach :).

I don't think much about having to say goodbye, not until that moment comes and suddenly I am at a loss for words. Whether they are friends that we see often, or friends that we see occasionally, the reason we have remained friends throughout the years is because we have shared experiences that will last longer in our memories than the seconds we actually spent together.

That is how I feel about the "gang", as we call them. At the core, there are about 10-12 of us. I have only known them as long as I began dating my husband, but it was clear to me from the beginning that this eclectic group wasn't like any other that I had ever met. Each, with their own story and from all walks of life, had a bond with the other that is authentic and unique, kind and generous, loyal and honest. We don't see them that much, maybe twice or three times a year if we are lucky. We have grown together through marriages, breakups, moves, family problems, personal joys, deaths, births, and birthdays. We may not know all the details in each other's lives, but I am not sure we really have to. All of that seems unnecessary when we gather, as our focus remains on enjoying what's in front of us. And usually, what we enjoy with each other the most, is camping. In the midst of the outdoors and in nature, we enjoy each other's company in laughter, and in silence, with thoughtfulness, with sharing, and of course, with good campfire food :).

If I remember correctly, we started camping with the gang at least once every year for the past 5 years, beginning when E. was 4 and M. was 2. We have camped in many different campgrounds all across the state. We even spent Thanksgiving together one year in the hills of North Carolina just outside of Asheville. Many memories have been made in the woods across Florida and honestly, I can't imagine camping with any other folks. Plainly, camping will not be the same without them. The live-oak filled woods, a good fire, delicious dutch oven meals, funny stories, some reminiscing and even the humongous raccoons, that is exactly how I would have liked to say goodbye to the gang, and that is exactly what we did. Well maybe not goodbye, but until the next campfire, thank you my friends...

much love
xoxo

linking with Amanda for Weekending...

30 comments:

  1. How wonderful! Makes me long for Summer here in New England. It's always great to make new memories and reminisce about the old ones! Have a great week MJ!

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  2. wow. it's bittersweet, isn't it? one door closes and other opens.
    so much love to you! wonderful to watch your transition.
    XO

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  3. Beautiful - these are the memories that stay with us forever. You will find ways to continue the campfire!!!!!! On a similar note here - we will be saying until the next beach day. xo

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  4. It is always so hard to say goodbye, but then in this time and age maybe it should just be 'see you later'! Your campsite looks like it could be at the beach here, very pretty.

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  5. Love the photos from your weekend....

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  6. What a great post! As winter has set in up here in the north I have found myself longing for a special camping trip we take every year with some very good friends. We go to the same place each year around the same time and it's amazing. We even pay attention to the moon phases (loving the calendar btw) so we get the best star gazing possible. I can't imagine having to move and not have our camping trip anymore. Maybe you could do an annual "meet in the middle"? And if you ever head to this end of the country we are always up for a good camping weekend!

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  7. As usual, I love your photos and the story they tell of your weekend. I think I might have been tempted to steal the vintage (um, my total dream car) car and mod camper. Looks like you've really embraced your landscape in a way that leaves you ready to let go.

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  8. definitely bittersweet but what a sweet way to spend your weekend. can't wait until i can smell campfire in my knitting again - it's been way too long.

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  9. The photo of the chrysler and oak trees is amazing!!

    I absolutely love camping with friends close to the beach - we've only done it once this past summer but it was by far the best family vacation ever!

    Sounds like the perfect way to transition from one chapter to the next...

    xo
    cortnie

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  10. I hate saying good bye, too. I spent this morning crying in a cab on the way to the train station... but you are right, it's only until the next campfire :)

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  11. you are so fortunate to have had such people in your lives. i envy that (in a nice way) :) it really is an amazing joy.

    and that kite photo is glorious.

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  12. What a lovely and perfect way to say "til next time.....". :) Sounds like you have so many wonderful memories that I'm sure you'll cherish forever. Soon you'll be making new friends and memories.

    XO

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  13. Camping with close friends is the best. I am excited to follow your adventures as you move. And I am sorry I have not been able to meet you - but I am with you in spirit. Certain parts of our stories seem so similar sometimes.

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  14. Wish we'd had a chance to camp together! Maybe sometime I'll make out your way :) for a big adventure!

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  15. Where is this lovely camp site? I must visit there!

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    1. Hey Kelli,
      this is anastasia state park--dusty but lovely

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  16. oh, feeling suddenly a little melancholy here. i'm not good with goodbyes, i like the see you soon's better. you are living dear mj, living your dream. your girl is so sweet smiling at you from inside her sleeping bag. she's so adorable.
    and the photo of the oaks and old car, beautiful!

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  17. i just saw your comment on lisa's page littlecoffeebeans that you are coming to colorado! Looking forward to having you as a friend and neighbor too! best wishes in the moving process!

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  18. Goodbyes are so hard sometimes, especially when you are looking forward to a new beginning. Love the photos and the beach looks so calming!

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  19. MJ - we're in Boulder and I just noticed on Jules' Journey around the Son page that that's where you are heading too (I feel like we're having a 3 way conversation on each others pages!). Jules is a dear, dear friend of mine and we're both in Boulder. So much to do and see here. It is absolutely beautiful and we'll be happy to show you around. Also my husband and I are avid campers and would be happy to show you some _incredible_ places. Yay for March! What a great time to be here. Snow one day. 70 degrees the next. Spring in the Rockies rocks! Be in touch by email if you want - lisamariecoffee@gmail.com. All the best getting those boxes sorted!

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  20. here's a sneak peek at some of our favorite camp spots: http://littlecoffeebeans.typepad.com/blog/happy-campers/
    :)

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  21. What a beautiful way to say see you later. You have a great gang! Those kinds of friendships are priceless.

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  22. How special to have friends in your life that make you feel as they do. I am sure they will miss you and your crew very much. But now they will have an awesome place to visit ;)

    Oh and the dutch oven pot roast?! Yummy! I am promising myself to cook over an open fire much more this spring and summer.

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  23. Sweet, cherished moments with your friends. How wonderful!

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  24. you are very lucky to be blessed with such friends.
    and we do the same things with our lovely friends here at the north.
    camping, skiing, food gatherings ( as i call them) always including our children
    always feeling good to have eachother : )

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  25. That looks amazing! You seem to have such wonderful friends, and what better way to enjoy them than with relaxed time outdoors. Goodbyes, or see-you-laters, or till the next campfires, they can all be so hard, but the beautiful thing about good friends is that you know there's a connection that will stand the test of time - I'm sure there are many more treasured camping trips in your future!

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  26. Love, love the photos.
    What an amazing experience to have such a "gang".
    I loved how you say that you only get together once, twice a year. And that when you do its not important to go over all the details of your lives, because enjoying what is in front right now is what is important. I am always lamenting that no one ever has time to get together for coffee, or lunch. But I do have some core souls who, though I do not see them very ofter, know me, and what I am about, all the same. And it is always amazing and refreshing when we do occupy the same space.
    Thanks for sharing once again MJ.
    Cheers,
    Leah

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  27. Oh, MJ how wonderful to belong to such a large and loyal group of friends. No surprises then that the goodbye part is hard. Friendship and a sense of community is so vital to a persons wellbeing. The photos are beautiful as is the comment about still being able to smell the fire in the yarn xo

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  28. wow, what a blessing to have such a group of bodies to live life out with. Changing the dynamic of community is unsettling, but I love the resolution: "until the next campfire."

    and can I just say, your camp food looks incredibly divine next to my hot dog on a stick over a fire.

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“Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.”
~ George Bernard Shaw