Good-byes

Today was our SAMmy's end of the year brunch.
And, I brought my camera...
...but was so busy running the show that I never took it out.
And when we were cleaning up I saw my camera sitting on the counter.
Isn't that the way it goes???
It was lovely, though.
You'll have to take my word for it!

This brunch was different from the end-of-year brunches of years' past.
Sure, there was a plethora of food. Everyone made their best summer-themed dishes.
I even made cake pops! Pink with sprinkles! (Jenn...you would have been proud!)
There were almond bars and home made guacamole and Hawaiian cake and tuna salad, quiche, bread pudding, veggies & dip, fruit & chocolate, and desserts of every kind! (Am I making you hungry yet?)
We had a game of Jeopardy with categories themed to our study from the year ("David's Scandals, David's Children, David's Commanders") and some that pertained to some of our moms ("SAMmy's Sister Trivia," "Oh, Baby!") - complete with prizes!!!
There were also door prizes - beautiful Gerber Daisy potted plants.
Yes, those were all the usual: a game, prizes, food. But, today we partnered the end-of-year party with a good-bye party.
One of my leaders and good friends - Jocelyn - is moving.
Here's a picture of us (quite proud of ourselves for dipping strawberries and making them look like roses...two uncrafty women making some AWESOME table decorations if we do say so ourselves) from last year.

She now has a boy a little smaller than that, and the little boy she's holding in this picture (Timothy) is walking around calling me "Auntie Pennie."
Sigh.
Mike and I have moved around a lot in our married life.
Usually I'm the one leaving.
There were a lot of tears today as we gave her a locket with charms that loosely fit inside of the clear chamber. Each charm has a meaning, to remind her of us.
More tears.
I'm usually the sap, but this time she was the one shedding them...even more than me...at first, anyhow.
And, of course, Auntie Pennie snuck little Timothy plenty of sweets and chocolate...even if Mom didn't okay them...
After all, this is my last chance to spoil the child...
...and it's not like she couldn't tell from the evidence on his face.
She just shook her head and smirked and said in mock horror, "Auntie Pennie!"
And tried not to cry.
This is the last spoiling.
I know that's what she was thinking.
It's what I was thinking!
(Auntie Pennie has always been a good one for spoiling! The boy gets what the boy wants when he comes to me!)
And then there were the hugs that were just a bit too long...
...because there were more tears.
And we couldn't take any more.
Now she's gone.

And I miss her already.
I so wish I would have remembered to have taken pictures!
But who can remember something like that when your mind is on deeper things?