SAYING GOODBYE

Saying goodbye to anyone is hard but when it's your daughter and her family, it is especially hard. As much as I want her to live in MN, I know her heart is still in Houston. She likes the warmer weather, has a great in-law family and loves the culture.

This is the daughter I always knew would be the one to move away and out of MN. It doesn't make it any easier but it does help having known this. Even though I cry when they leave here or I leave Houston, I know she is happy.

They've been gone on 7 hours but I already miss the little voices in the morning asking for breakfast. I enjoyed helping them get their cereal or yogurt and granola. They eat healthy and that is something I can learn from them. Their sugar intake is limited, the eat healthy snacks and play hard.

I have a message for each of the Suarez family members:

Maddie - Do well in school. Listen to your teachers. Pay attention. Make new friends and learn lots! You and I will start to write real letters to each other. I think that will be fun and a way for us to stay connected. You are a beautiful young lady and I love you very much.

Xavier - Listen to your Mommy and Daddy. They can teach you lots of cool things so that you will be ready to go to kindergarten next year. Work really hard at being a good boy at the table and sit on your tushie like a big boy. Play, build, ride, blow bubbles, color and do lots of fun things. You look so much like your mommy and you do many of the same things she did. Remember you are a special little boy and I love you very much.

Stacy - Be a good daddy to your children. You have done a great job so far and have really good kids. Do well in your job. Support Leanna in all of her doings whether it be taking care of the kids, working outside the home or going to school. She is a treasure in your life but she will always still be my little girl. Take good care of her. Bring her to MN often.

Leanna - You will always be my little girl just as your sister is. I miss you when you are not here even though we talk often on the phone. It isn't the same because I can't just call you up and ask you to meet me at the mall, come over for dinner or chat over a drink. I want you to do well in whatever profession you choose. I want you to do well in school but at the same time enjoy what you are learning. I want to believe you will live in MN again but I think your heart is in the warmer climes of the US. If you and your family find your way back to MN at some point in your life, you will be welcomed with open arms and surrounded by a family that loves you and cares about you very much. I love you.

Yep, saying goodbye is really hard to do but sometimes it is the best thing you can do. Goodbye Leanna and family. Have a safe trip home. We will see you in the fall and we will have to say goodbye again.