* Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow ...

Two months.  Such a gift.  Spending time with kindred spirits is pure blessing, pure grace, pure joy, pure love, pure fun.  The three of us are soooo blessed to have found each other here in Mexico last year.  We tease we are now 'stuck with each other' for the rest of our lives.  It is true.  Such a gift.

Kathleen and Ivan left this morning.  Just had an e-mail.  They are home safe and sound, having a walk through their loved and familiar neighbourhood, din din out at a Thai restaurant.  They will be back before we all realize it ... perhaps a little before Christmas ... just after Christmas for sure.

Two days before departure, Kathleen and I spent a lovely day here at Quinta de Luz being pampered with a manicure and pedicure.  Such a wonderful service to be able to stay in the comfort of your own home.

While luxuriating in warm water and massage, Kathleen discovered jewelery making in one of my magazines.  She was smitten by silver pieces made from 'old silver' and thinks she might explore more!  FUN.

Ivan, in the meantime, contemplated life in a beautiful pool overlooking San Miguel.  Doesn't get any better than this!

The next day was their last night in town.  We spent a memorable evening talking, laughing, and enjoying each other's company over a beautifully prepared meal at a lovely little Mexican restaurant.  I haven't enjoyed rabbit since living in Britain years ago.  Delicious.  K & I had shrimp.

The fountain near us bubbled and dripped it's soothing sounds, the restaurant was full of quiet chatter and laughter. The air was soft, no roof allowed the stars to peek though, and I know we all felt embraced by Mexico. The lady next to us enjoyed dinner with her dog Pipa.  I just love restaurants where you can take your animals.  In my opinion, north of the border has gone completely tooooo far in over regulating just about everything.  In Europe, especially Paris, you can enjoy your meal with your dog on your lap or in the chair sitting beside you where he would have a plate of her/her own tidbits.

Pipa enjoying dinner out with her mamma.  Just the way it should be.

Did I tell you we brought 'the kids'?  They loved it.  3/8's wore her best shawl.  44 wore his 'Take my Heart' pendant.  I think 3/8's is thinking 'wedding' ... not sure about 44.  He's more the living together kind of guy I think.

So, until later ... here's to friendship ... here's to exploring ourselves, here's to growth whether we want to or not, here to evolving ... here's to being together again soon ... Kathleen, here's to Meyer's Briggs ... and to all of us ... here's to YES!

Say good-bye er howdy-do--
  What's the odds betwixt the two?
    Comin'--goin'--every day--
      Best friends first to go away--
        Grasp of hands you'd ruther hold
          Than their weight in solid gold,
            Slips their grip while greetin' you,--
              Say good-bye er howdy-do?
      - James Whitcomb Riley

We'll see each other on skype, we'll hear each other's voices on the telephone, and soon ... it will be December and we will once again spend precious time together.