bittersweet

i lay in bed listening to my in-laws saying bye to their son, my husband, as he left for work.

and i cried.

***

my in-laws have been living with us since the end of August.

when we arrived home from our trip to British Columbia we were greeted by them.

the kids have been sharing a room while their grandparents stayed in the girl's room.

why?

well, because they took a step.

a big step.

they put their house up for sale and it sold in a few days.

they were moving to BC.

Dan's sisters and their families live in BC.

after years of talking about it they took the plunge and are moving there.

but first they had to finish work.

so, they moved in with us after their closing date.

the kids have loved having grandpa and 'crazy ol' grandma around.

last week grandpa drove their moving truck...their house contents & motorcycle... out to BC.

then he hopped on a plane and arrived here last night.

this morning they were leaving.

road trip to visit some family on this side of the continent and then they'll be making their way to BC.

but for us and them it was time for our goodbyes.

so, this morning, 

i lay in bed listening to my in-laws saying bye to their son, my husband, as he left for work.

and i cried.

i got the kids up and ready for school.

before we went out to meet the bus they got their hugs from grandpa and grandma.

and i cried.

i got ready to go into town.

I was volunteering in the library at the kids' school.

before i headed to my car it was my turn to say bye.

i hate goodbyes.

my in-laws have lived about 5-10 minutes away since i married my husband almost 11 years ago.

they have been a go-to when we needed help with a car.

they have been a support when we had our boy... and then our girl.

they have helped with each of our moves.

they have been a second home.

they have had us over for supper, lunch, games, just to spend time together.

they have been our support when we have gone through some very personal and extreme situations as a young family.

grandma has taken the kids when i've been sick or needed to run out to get something. 

grandma has been available to go for a walk with the kids and i, to enjoy the beautiful day.

we have gone over to watch Nascar, or the Super Bowl, or Grey Cup.  

if we had a medical question we called up mom.  she always had the answer for us, or we could stop by and show her the problem.

i will miss my in-laws.

they are family, and i know that we will all miss them.

a whole lot.

they have been a huge part of our lives.

our loss is the Dan's sisters' gain.

their families will now have grandma and grandpa nearby - they don't have a house yet, but it will still be closer than it has been.

the six grandkids in BC will have them near to get to know more than just a Skype conversation or a short visit here and there.

it doesn't make their move any easier though.

i am thankful for the years i have had them here.

We love you Grandpa and Crazy ol' Grandma.

we will miss you so much!