Sunshine is leaving New York

Today, regardless of what the weather man says, will be a very cloudy and gloomy in upstate New York. Amber and Grace are moving to Virginia, which already has enough sunshine. Last night the remnants of the family, who will be left behind, gathered at Amber's invitation for a little farewell meal. 3226 Blue Spruce Drive looks beautiful for the next lucky buyer thanks to Amber's hard work and the help of Natalie and family members. It will be hard to resist those normal turns that lead to what has become known as , "Amber's and Carl's",where we have had so many Cain Clan gatherings and enjoyed great hospitality and laughs.

I am pushing back tears, unsuccesfully, contemplating this big change. Nana is going to miss, big time, my little Love Bug, Princess Grace, coming in wearing her mermaid sunglasses and calling, "Na?" like a little lost lamb. What will I do with all this hot chocolate we shared on cold winter days? What will I do with the playdough food waiting in the activity bucket? Who is going to paint my bread dough with butter? Who is going to hide in the curtains waiting for me to find her?
Who is going to re-awaken all my seasons to new discoveries like the magic in a pumpkin or a tulip? Who is going to keep my vocabulary sharpened with more use of words like delicious, amazing and gorgeous? Who is going to keep Arnie and Abbey entertained with chasing after little running giggles?

For seven great years we have been blessed having Amber and Carl living here after five long years being across the country in California. We have been blessed in sharing with them their first house and the birth of amazing Grace who has brought so much sunshine in all our lives. Princess Grace has definitely been a royal blessing especially in the difficult times. She has become the Cain Clan mascot of joy and thanksgiving. The energy of her little life has been the best tonic against the aches and pains of adulthood and senior citizenhood.

My counselor is leaving. For seven years I have had the resource of Amber's listening ear, wisdom and support. She has been within minutes travel to come and help with willing hands and heart. It has been wonderful to have her stop over with Grace and have mom and daughter chats about all kinds of topics. Amber is my soul mate when it ccomes to liking to talk. She was born to this calling. And thankfully Grace has inherited it. What a blessing Amber is to all of us Cain Clan. I could ask for no better person to be the oldest sibling and example to the rest of our family. She has been the pioneer for the Cain kids and a cheer leader for her aging parents. I am counting on her daily morning calls. I am so thankful that we now have cell phones and unlimited long distance calling.

Amber is returning to the area of her birth, Virginia. Maybe in the future we can just program the car to drive there. But more than likely by then all the directions and turns will have become part of our internal maps just as those leading to 3226 Blue Spruce Dr. off the Gananda Parkway.

Since learning of Amber's and Carl's move one song plays in my heart daily, "There Ain't no sunshine when your gone." But that songs pertains to all of the Cain kids when they are away from Nana's and Papa's nest.
Empty nests might be roomier but they are also colder.