Like many days in the isolation of social distancing, Wednesday was bittersweet. OK, it was more bitter than sweet. It feels like we really need to revise that word for the time of COVID-19. Maybe like “BitterBitterBitterSweet” or something like that? Lots of bitter with a dash of sweet?
I’m allowing that trace of “sweet” in the descriptor because, as Erin and I were talking about, there are a few bits of silver lining in our current experience. But more on that later. First let’s talk bitter.
We’ve known for a while, even going back to the days BQ (Before Quarantine) that some good friends of ours in the neighborhood were moving. Their oldest is in the same class as Amelia, and our families met in the early days of kindergarten last year.
Like me, they are from Wisconsin, and it turned out we had all kinds of coincidental connections back home between friends and family. They even share the exact same wedding anniversary as Erin and me. Same date, year, and everything. And they lived right around the corner. It is a small world indeed.
Our families got to be friends over the past couple of years and it was great seeing them at school pickup every day. Our kids were friends at school, and we always knew we had fellow Packer backers in the neighborhood. We’d watch games together sometimes, and they always threw great parties at Christmastime.
But even during these weird times, life goes on and change is constant. A new job opportunity and closer family connections has drawn them back to Wisconsin, and we just found out recently that the big move is happening this week. We never would have guessed that the last time we hung out with them back in February would be the last time we’d hang out with them as neighbors.
Amelia is sad her friend is moving away, but told us how cool it is that his new house will have a bunk bed and a big backyard for playing frisbee. Let’s face it, that IS pretty cool.
So the word went out the other day that the family is saying their goodbyes, and the whole neighborhood got together to parade by their house, show signs of love and well wishes, and to wave goodbye. It was a real tribute to how kind, generous and fun our friends are. There wasn’t a dry eye on the street.
They have been a vibrant part of our neighborhood and things won’t be quite the same without them.
We drove by and made our waves and well wishes. I told them it’s not the end of the line, we’ll definitely see them next time we’re in Wisconsin. Amelia’s friend, filled with the earnest innocence of a first grader, said, “When?”
I smiled and said, “Soon.” And I meant it. We will miss those guys, but we will see them again. In the meantime, we wish them all the best in their new home.
Now back to the “sweet” part of the “bittersweet.” While Amelia and Henry’s wild energy can be maddening at times, it has been delightful to watch their bond grow even tighter during this time. Yes, screams and fights can erupt at a moment’s notice, but there are also times when they are adorably nice to each other.
One of those moments was after Henry’s nap. Post-nap is a real toss up with Henry. Sometimes he can come down with all the cheer of a badger who just got a paper cut opening a jury summons. Other days, he can be in a great mood.
Today was the latter. He came down and shouted, “MIA!” (This is how he says “Amelia.”) Amelia shouted, “Henry!” It was like the two hadn’t seen each other in years and lived in a 1950s melodrama.
Of course the reality was that it had been like an hour and they parted arguing over a Paw Patrol toy.
But all that was water under the bridge now. Henry sat down, and Amelia kindly asked if he would like a snack. She spoke like a high society hostess to her guest. Henry of course said yes, and asked if he might have some pretzels. Amelia happily got those for him and Henry glowed with gratitude. “OH! Thank you, Mia!”
I could scarcely believe what I was watching. It was delightful and I took a moment to enjoy the ride. Rest assured he’d be outside throwing dirt at his sister later.
By the way…that’s exactly what he did.
