24 hours left

[Beer-lord]

This is really painful. I know there are those of us suffering real loss and I really sympathize with them. But, in 24 hours, I will say goodbye to real friends. The kind of friends you share EVERYTHING with! They say they will be back in 2 years but I'm not so sure and who knows what will happen in those 2 years.
Tonite we stopped by to help with the packing, share some homebrew and talk about our times together. Tomorrow night at this time, there will be tears. I'm happy they are doing what they have wanted to do for a long time but sad that my life will be less exciting than it has been all these years.
I guess I'm a wuss and am more emotional than I thought I would be but this is really tearing at my heart. Connections of friendship like this is very rare I think and it does feel somewhat like a loss.
I am thankful for the many times we've spent together and look forward for the re-connection (and the trip to Cali) but it is hard.
So, they leave Sunday early and plan to stay at the Faust Hotel (and brewery) in San Antonio Sunday night. So I called the hotel and the twin and I have paid for their room and we'll also call the bar and give the a bar tab to watch the Super Bowl. That'll teach them!!!!

[jimjohson]

I know having a friend leave sucks. but in the fwiw department, in a couple years they'll have a whole lot of new stories. you need to practice the timing of your delivery. so you can make them "choke" their beers. (I give myself extra points if it comes out their nose)


I might have to get older, but I don't have to grow up.

[John Sand]

You're a good friend. Comings and goings are part of life, you never know what might happen. I met my wife once, then again 22 years later. Now we meet every night.

[Chuck N]

"Things change. They always do, it's one of the things of nature. Most people are afraid of change, but if you look at it as something you can always count on, then it can be a comfort."
- Robert Kincaid (Clint Eastwood in "The Bridges of Madison County")

I know that this is a good philosophy and a lot of people feel this way. But at my age my philosophy is: "Change is only good when you're standing in front of the vending machine".

Sad to hear of you good friends moving. May you find others for which to share your life.

[Inkleg]

The kind of friends you share EVERYTHING with!

WOW, could you shoot me a PM about that. Others here may not understand.

Truly though, I hope your heart will be less burdened knowing they feel the same. Hell, I'd hate to lose you and I've never met you.

Here's something to keep in mind. A great friend of mine and I went our separate ways many years ago. 10 years after that I get a call he's looking to settle down and in my area, could I start looking at houses in the general area. My daughter would ride with me as we went looking (for weeks). Had been out several hours one day and we were tired and about to go home when I ask if she wanted to go down one more street. She was no more than 9 or 10 at the time and said yes. At the end of that street we found a house for sale that they still live in today. So what's the moral? I don't know.
Enjoy them while they're here, miss them when they're gone, stay in touch, who knows how it will turn out.

[Gymrat]

This is really painful. I know there are those of us suffering real loss and I really sympathize with them.

Never minimize your losses. It doesnt matter what is happening to others you have to deal with what is happening to you. If it hurts it hurts regardless of things happening to someone else. Conversely when talking to someone hurting never share an experience of your own as that takes the attention they need off of them and puts it on you. And telling them about someone who has things worse minimizes thier problem and is really quite cruel. Missing your friends is big to you so make no apologies for sharing it.

[Rayyankee]

Having great friends is rare enough and having them move truly sucks. So i get and feel your pain. On the bright side as you said a trip to california would be good and fun for you. Also being one of the borg members in California would love to hook up with you for a beer when you make the trip out this way. I am also sure if you were to make it a driving trip across you would find many borg member who would love to meet up for a brew or two with you.

[Beer-lord]

Just left my friends house. We worked 12 hour today getting the house ready for rental after they left and they had an open house for other friends to say goodbye. We had a great day with lots of memories. My friend asked us not to make the goodbye so painful so I tried to keep it together but I failed. I literally cried all the way home from his house. I even laughed at myself for crying. I'm not a crier and other than deaths in the family, just don't feel it. Tonite I did.
But I got them because when they arrive in San Antonio tomorrow night at the Faust Brewery, we have their room paid for and a $50 dinner/bar tab as they watch the Super Bowl. That will piss them off.
Thanks for all the encouragement guys. This was much harder than I expected and I had a long time to prepare for it. Friends like these are hard to come by but I appreciate the comments and compassion given. Life goes on and then you make good beer.

[FedoraDave]

You have a good heart, Paul. I have a feeling you'll stay in close contact with these people, and while you won't have the opportunity to see each other as much, you'll be able to establish new visitations. And those reunions will be as though you'd never been separated. Some relationships are like that, and this seems to me to be one of those.

[Brewbirds]

Okay so here's my idea.

1)Put aside a couple of bottles of every batch you brew.
2) You and Redbeard both place a carboy in a convenient location and throw all your spare change in it every day.
3) Put a BIG label on it that says "Road Trip - Santa Barbara or bust"
4) Change your oil and rotate your tires
5) buy an atlas of the Western US

and...

Keep an eye on the news; when they find out the state ran out of ware they might turn around and come back.

[Inkleg]

Just left my friends house. We worked 12 hour today getting the house ready for rental after they left and they had an open house for other friends to say goodbye. We had a great day with lots of memories. My friend asked us not to make the goodbye so painful so I tried to keep it together but I failed. I literally cried all the way home from his house. I even laughed at myself for crying. I'm not a crier and other than deaths in the family, just don't feel it. Tonite I did.

You Jack Wagon, a piece of dust flew in my eye while I read this. Now I've got to find a Kleenex.

This came to mind, not really what the song is about, but the words and verses are fitting.

[Beer-lord]

Some great ideas BB and a mid/late June trip is already scheduled as is regular beer swaps (ours for local Cali beers).....my oil was changed recently and the tires have been rotated. And, I am really happy my friends are doing exactly what they want to do. And that's the important part. I think they'll miss us more than we'll miss them and hopefully they'll stay true to their plans of coming back in 2 years.

Ink, I remember that song and never really knew who that band was until now. Good ole country rock right there. Since I've basically spent every Wednesday night at their house for the last almost 3 years enjoying good music, food and beer, it's those nights that I'll miss the most. That's why I think joining the local brew club is such a great idea.

OK, I'm over this sad talk now and I plan to get back to brew talk, putting the Kleenex away and moving on with my miserable self.

[T8rSalad]

What a bestie you are Paul. We all wish we had more besties like yourself and boy, I do feel your pain in them moving but 2 years shall pass quickly and your jam sessions will be ON again. Good luck to them and stop crying you big crybaby.

[Brewbirds]

[quoteI think they'll miss us more than we'll miss them ][/quote]

Yup that's exactly what I was thinking.

BB2 and I have moved six times, most of them to places where we didn't know anyone for new jobs. Thank goodness we had each other and when friends and family came to visit it was a highlight of that year for us. We enjoyed taking trips to show them popular local spots etc. (well except in Florida when we were dragged repeatedly to Disney World ).

Just thinking how special it would be for them if you guys got to go visit so they could show you around the new digs.

[Kealia]

Cheers, buddy.