Bidding two friends farewell
I’ve known for a couple of months that my friends Chris and Silke would soon be moving (maybe permanently?) to France. But it didn’t seem real until I stopped by their house on Sunday afternoon.
Their home has always had a sort of Japanese sparseness, because they’ve stuck pretty much to the basics. But on Sunday it seemed cavernous: The living room was empty except for a handful of small boxes; the tall kitchen cupboards held only a lonesome, forlorn glass.
I felt as hollow as their house as I hugged them both goodbye.
I’ll probably see them again soon—maybe in a couple of months, maybe this winter—if I’m able to return to Paris. But our farewell still seemed so, well, final.
As I drove some of their belongings to the Goodwill, I found myself wishing I’d spent more time with them: studying photography with Chris, taking Silke’s yoga classes, inviting them to join me for walks around Como Lake.
But that’s the thing about friendship (and life): We think we have all the time in the world, until one day we don’t. Still … I have lots of happy memories, all the same.
Here’s me and Chris after a sushi lunch in downtown Minneapolis (he had to kneel to be at my height, I think) …
… and here’s a self-portrait of Chris’ and my shadows in Montmartre:
… and a reunion of sorts with a napkin he’d found during our walk in Montmartre. He surreptitiously stashed it and gave it to me as part of my birthday gift in January:
Good memories, all. And hopefully there are many more to come.
So, safe journeys, Chris and Silke—and best wishes as you leave the Twin Cities today to start this wonderful new chapter of your lives.
I’ll miss you.
PS: Merci mille fois, Chris, pour la petite boite de cadeaux. What a treasure trove of treats! I started watching The Gleaners last night, and I look forward to many hours of listening to the wonderful CDs while playing with matches. But I’m still wondering: What’s up with the rock?!
Filed under: Friends and family, Minnesota, Paris, Psychology | 2 Comments
Tags: Chris Welsch, friendship, Paris, postaday2011, Silke Schroeder
Wonderful post; I share your regret at their leaving and good wishes for the future! What a great adventure, moving to Paris!
What a great adventure, indeed! Although it was also a revelation to see how stressful it can be to straddle two lives. I find myself wondering how on earth my parents pulled up stakes so many times—and with four kids in tow!