Grace : a way of moving that is smooth and attractive and that is not stiff or awkward.
... according to the online Merriam-Webster Dictionary.
Last day of grade 1. Little BFF's exiting the school year with grace. This year's exit will be much more painful I fear., as BFF is moving on. Where has time gone?
A very, very good friend will soon be leaving Qatar, leaving the ME.
She's headed to the Principality of Monaco, renown for many things, including Formula 1 races, the Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival, and Princess Grace ...
She and her family are spring-boarding into LIFE! Into a world that is vibrant and colorful, fresh and new.
They are moving from desert-scape to ocean vistas, from prohibition to festivals.
From mosques to casinos, sand to surf, abayas to bikinis ...
The contrast is blinding.
It's much like the contrast in me as I steel myself for their imminent departure; I'm so happy for them, yet so sad to see them go.
But this is the expat life. This is the expat truth ... people come and people go ...
And yet ...
Some people are a little harder to let go of than others.
This is my amazing friend. She's a vibrant human being who's let me be Me without having to pretend I was one single thing other, celebrated the good times with me and commiserated the bad. She's been a TRUE friend ...
And she's leaving.
And I'm sad.
I'll miss her.
A LOT.
She is Grace. Around her, everyone moves in a way that is smooth and attractive and that is not stiff or awkward. What did she DO that was so special? Why will her absence permeate our day?
Because much like Princess Grace of Monaco ... it's not about her history. It's about her presence. My friend is an amazing presence. Her absence will be an aching void. Her absence will be most present in those moments when I need to send a desperate text that no one else in the world would 'get'.
She is my 'go-to' friend in Doha. She is my constant laugh. She is my constant rant. She is the friend who will always farking commiserate exactly how one is meant to commiserate; with plenty of expletives and f-bombs.
Grace is leaving me ...
I'll miss her.
A LOT.
Her daughter is my Kiddo's BFF. The goodbye will be hard. Likely as hard as my last goodbye to my Dad. I'm not making light of it. An 8-year-old's goodbye is HELL.
I'm dreading it. Absolutely dreading it.
A 44-year-old's goodbye isn't much better.
Friendships, TRUE friendships, aren't easy to come by in the ME. I know we're not losing friends; Grace and her family are friends for life ... NOTHING changes THAT. But the FRIENDSHIP ... that day-to-day celebration and commiseration ... well, that's going. No soft landing. That part will soon be over.
I'll miss it.
A LOT.
Give me Grace ....