It was a long time coming.

I knew for several months, that come September 5th I would need to get on a plane and leave my life in the U.S. behind. Despite this inevitable truth, or perhaps because of it, I made every effort to see those people who are important to me before this looming deadline. Since Hunter left New York at the beginning of July, I found myself feeling more adrift than normal. Even though nothing major had changed externally – I was in my home city, going to the same job and eating the same oatmeal every day, I didn’t quite feel like myself. It took me some time to understand that I wasn’t myself just living in NYC and going to work and eating oatmeal, I needed people around me who love me and who I can laugh with and hug and all of a sudden, with Hunter gone, there was a noticeable absence.

So, I did what I do very well and completely over-scheduled myself. Left with this new feeling of emptiness, I felt that the only solution was to fill it with weekend trips and extended visits to my closest friends and family. I must admit that there were times that I just didn’t really feel like driving in the car, or catching a flight or train, or even putting on a nice outfit for dinner. But, the reason I pushed past my own diminishing energy level, was because I knew that if I spent even five minutes in the company of these people, I would immediately smile and wake up.

Gotta fit in one more bus ride with the Valeries in NYC

Fellow survivors of LIU PT program

A “Milo” moment in Maine

Shopping and lunch with Boo in Highland Park

Mom & Dad in South Haven for the weekend

One last happy hour with NYU comrades Shaina, Andrea, Sarah & Carolyn

New Rochelle with Sarah & Ben

Dinner in Prospect Heights with Jude, Ward & Jocey

End of an era. End of couch time in the East Village with Maya & Michael

Jessie and I in Chicago after dinner at Cindy’s

Taste testing two varieties of smoked chicken a la Willhooley in Crown Heights

Final rooftop dinner in NYC with Mom, Teddy, Sarah, Charlie & Jo

Becca & Nathan in Ann Arbor for a few days

Kathryn, Diana & I show our athletic side in Minneapolis

DELICIOUS Hamburger at Au Cheval with Rachael in Chicago

Nany in Lindenhurst, feeling good!

Quick trip to Maryland with Emily

Seeing everyone over the past two months at first made saying good-bye even more difficult, and set my brain in denial mode. “I’m sure I’ll see you soon!” I kept saying in an offhand way, easily walking away until my friend reminded me that “soon” was, in fact, not in the cards. I transitioned slowly through denial into acceptance of not being able to physically see those close to me whenever I wanted/felt like buying a short plane ticket. This time with all of these special people has reminded me of how lucky I am to be surrounded by so many loving individuals, and how deep these relationships run. Some of these people came into my life only a few years earlier, a fact I am constantly surprised by given the depth of our friendships. This idea, that a close bond can be formed within a short period of time, is encouraging as I move into this next phase of my life in Israel. Although it seems impossible right now, I may indeed find myself making new friends of the caliber that I have at home, even though these people are complete strangers now.

For those of you who I have seen before leaving the US, thank you for your support and love. Even if your photo is not above, you know who you are and that I love you dearly.

TTFN