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Friday, September 30, 2011

Big Empty Space!

Today I found myself pacing the floors. The last time I had paced the floors was the night my best friend and husband did not return home from work. I thought of it when I found myself pacing again today. It must be what I do when I know that my life is about to change forever.

You see at three this afternoon my dear sweet Gretchen left for Kentucky. She no longer will be living out here on the North Forty and now I feel like I have a big hole in my heart.  


We said our goodbyes with lots of tears getting in the way. Just in short time this young lady brought so much into my life out here that my heart feels like it is breaking as I try to write this post.

She will be coming back to Texas but not to live out here. About four months ago she met a young man in acting class and has fallen in love. After Gretchen takes care of her mom in Kentucky for three months she will move to Austin where he lives.

Wednesday night my brother Billy and sister-in-law Linda came over to say their goodbyes to Gretchen. If you read the post about us putting the For Rent sign in my brothers yard as a prank well this is the brother.
He never came up with anything to get her back for it. He told her he rented his house and was moving in six weeks but she did not fall for it. lol

In the next picture you can see how Gretchen always is the little actress and is cutting up with Billy.

She captured their hearts too while she lived here on the North Forty.

Friends are the best and I will miss this one terribly.

While I am here tonight I want to thank Julia for her Blogazine post. If you have not read about Julia just keep scrolling down til the next post and read about another good friend of mine.

Sending you good wishes for a happy weekend. I hope that you enjoy some cooler weather. Do something fun and know this ole Texas Yellowhair Grandma sends love to all
Maggie



27 comments:

Donna said...

I understand the hole in your heart, Maggie. So sorry you have to go through this but it's better to deeply enjoy a friendship like this than to feel lukewarm and not care that it is past. Gretchen will keep in touch, you can bet on that and there will be other friendships that will come in it's place because YOU are a great friend in a relationship that others want to have. The photos are sweet reminders of a nice good-bye and more to come in your life!!

Ps. Really enjoyed Julia's post!!

Brynwood Needleworks said...

So sorry that Gretchen has moved away from the back forty. I know how much joy she brought into your life, especially with that perverse streak you both share!

I agree with Donna (above), she'll keep in touch and you'll have a great place to visit when she moves back to Texas!

Hugs,
Donna
xoxo

acorn hollow said...

It is so hard to say good bye to a friend. I am sure there are other joys to come in your life.
Cathy

Gorges Smythe said...

I know you'll miss her, but I also know that you wouldn't hold her back if you could. God bless you.

sjmcdowell said...

My sweet Maggie,

Your life is all the more richer for knowing this sweet girl. I know I said this to you earlier but a friendship like that lasts a lifetime. You both will always be close in one way or another.
Wish,wish,wish I could come out to visit you...!!
I was able to talk to Andy tonight, he called finally!

I will talk with you soon
Maggie,

Love always,

Susan

Susan Anderson said...

It's hard to say goodbye to those people who take up residence in our hearts. Seems like she has become part of the family!

The good news is that she DOES seem to have become like family, so I'm sure you guy will be in close touch.

All the same, I know you will miss having her around. When my best friend down the street moved, I couldn't even drive past her house for a year or so. I still don't like to, and it's been 10 years now!

Hugs to you, Maggie.

=)

Welcome to the Garden of Egan said...

I'm so sorry you have to say goodbye to such a beautiful sweet little friend. She looks like a darling girl.

Looks like she keeps Billy in tow as well.

I LOVED Julia's post yesterday. What a sweet woman.

joanne said...

look at how much that sweet young lady changed your life and your heart and memories will never be the same. It's a wonderful blessing to have in this life isn't it?
take care and know that she is filled with wonderful memories of you and your family too...

Julia said...

Dear Maggie. I'm trying to think of something to say to you quickly before I go to feed my calves but I haven't had any coffee yet so the brain, she's not working too good this morning.

Sometimes God put special people in our path for a reason. She was there when you needed someone to talk to and do mischievous things with like placing a sign on poor Billy's lawn. She kept Miss Pearl away too because I haven't seen Miss Pearl since Gretchen came to stay with you.

Gretchen looks like a sweet girl who is going to make it in the industry and I wish her all the luck.

Maybe her leaving will leave a door open for something special or someone special to walk into your life soon again.

This friendship is something special and with today's technology, Gretchen will only be a click away. You can skype her and stay in touch.

Maggie thanks so much for doing this Blogazine thing with my story and thanks everyone who were so kind to leave all those sweet comments. Hugs and love to all of you. See you on Blogger. I'm off to feed my girls JB

Sonny G said...

I wish I had the words to comfort you Maggie. wish you could feel this hug and the compassion that comes with it.
we're here for you.
(((Maggie))

xoxoxo
Sonny

Arkansas Patti said...

Aw Maggie, I am so sorry that dear friend is moving on. Sorry for your sake but happy for her to be starting her live with the man she loves.
As long as there is the internet and phones, you aren't totally cut off. Still you have lost a great partner in crime.
Your brother hasn't gotten even---YET.

Olga said...

You are blessed to have had such a lively friend in your life, however briefly. That hole is space for something new that will come into your life. I wish you both well.

Anonymous said...

Just remember..... God now opened up a "hole" for you to fill it with someone or something else. Take flight & find out your next adventure!!
Love, Marilyn

Tam said...

Maggie I knew from previous post that the time was getting near for Gretchen to leave. I have been praying for you that before she left someone special would enter into your world. I still will keep that in my prayers.
Friends like her are rare and special but so are you!
We are all just an email, blog or phone call away so remember that when you get lonely out on the North Forty
Call me the next time you fill the urge to prank someone I can talk the hubs into giving me time off to help you. heeheheee
Tam

Heather Henry said...

I'm so sorry for you. It is so difficult when the seasons in our friendships/relationships change. I have found that with the internet at least, it is much easier to keep in touch, so that is a blessing.
Happy October, I hope you have a wonderful weekend and get to do something fun, as well.

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Yep, coolin' down here in these hills and hollers. We had our first frost of the year this mornin'. Just a little reminder of what's to come. 'Sooooo not a winter person!

Sweetie I'm so sorry that your dear sweet friend is movin' away. My heart goes out to ya 'cause I know how very much you loved that girl. On the flip side I'm thrilled she found the love of her life.

God bless ya sweetie and have a fantastic weekend!!! :o)

deb said...

It's so hard to say goodbye to such a dear sweet friend that has added so much joy and comfort to your life..but she is not gone forever! I'm sure she will keep in touch with such a warm loving friend as you.
You'll find someone or something else to fill the hole when the time is ready.
Sending (((warm hugs))) to the sweetest lady ♥
Wishing you a wonderful weekend
*hugs*deb

GerryART said...

Parting with Friends is so hard.
It makes our Hearts heavy.

We're here in blogland with You in Our Hearts.

hugs
Gerry

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you had Gretchen there for that time when you really needed her. And Christy!
I hope this means a turning point for you; God seems to put people in our lives when we really need them.
Hugs

Dr. Kathy McCoy said...

Oh, Maggie, I've been thinking of and dreading the day that Gretchen was leaving -- and here it is! I'm so sorry. But what memories you have made together! And I have a feeling the two of you will be friends for life, even though she's not coming back to live nearby. Still, change is hard. My thoughts are with you.

Vicki/Jake said...

Hi Maggie, long time...I'm an awful summertime blog visitor. Good thing the cold is coming so I can hibernate:) Read down through a couple posts. Sorry you're losing such a good friend, but I'm wishing her the best on her new journey. Hope you're feeling better too. I'll be back soon, headed on another trip first. Take care..

Nancy's Notes said...

Oh, you must feel so sad! I'm so sorry, I know she will be back to see you sweet lady! Skype is a good way to keep in touch too, I know, not the same! Getting to talk and see her on skype is second best!

Hugs to you.
Nancy

Anonymous said...

Sweet Maggie I hope that hole in your heart fills up with something or someone very soon. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers sweet friend. I enjoyed the pictures. Love and hugs!

Always Nesting said...

A sweet post about a sweet friend. It's always hard when the people we love have to move away. Hugs.

NitWit1 said...

I understand how it is to lose a dear one as we move our separate journeys in life. But I bet if this new love relationship matures you will be first on the list for the wedding

And memories, although now bittersweet, will be come more nostalgic as time moves on.

Most important, I suspect you will hear from her often when she needs advice or needs to cry on your shoulder.

A Tale of Two Cities said...

What a loss for both of you. I know you'll really miss each other. Maybe there's another friend just waiting to enter your life this very week. Be on the look-out!

Jennifer Richardson said...

There is so much pain in love.
Still, it's achingly beautiful.
Reminds me of Carly Simon's
wonderful line
"so don't mind if I fall apart;
there's more room in a broken heart."
Keep loving your heart
wide open
even when it hurts, friend.
You're so much the richer for it.
(and thanks for sharing that
richness with us!)
-Jennifer