Saturday, October 8, 2011

Friends and Family

There is a saying, "You can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family."  But maybe it's not always true.

Living here, there is such a limited number of Americans.  And the group shrinks even more when you consider the people living here associated with the American military.  So when we arrived 2 years ago, and we met le petit group, we instantly became friends---in a way, we didn't have a choice.  We NEEDED them for help, advice, and gripe sessions over coffee where we could vent about all things French.

For the last two years, we've eaten lots of meals together, celebrated many kiddos birthdays, and pinch-hit babysat in times of desperate need.  I often say, I understand about "70%" of what is happening around me--and the best part of having each other to talk to is that usually (after lots of laughs where each of us share what we "know") we can figure out the other 30% of the story.  To understand completely, we need each other.

But this friend's tour here in the south of France is over.  And she and her family are leaving us to move onto the next big thing.  We had a little "farewell" party last night at our house for them --our petite group of Americans got together to wish them "au revoir".  There were about 10 of us.  And as I looked around the room I couldn't help but think--I didn't get to choose these friends....but after two years, they have become like family.

Man, I will miss them.     

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