Today I went to John’s nephew’s dental office to have my teeth cleaned. I said good-bye to those who have provided me with excellent dental care for years. It was sad getting hugs from everyone. After I left the dentist’s office, I sat in the car and cried.

I don’t know when or if I’ll ever be back to Michigan. I hate to think of losing those who were important to us in Michigan.

I will especially miss John’s brothers and sisters. They are my only “family” in this area, except for my brother Denny. And I wonder if I’ll ever see him again. (He doesn’t like to fly and won’t drive to Florida. Besides he lives in the U.P. most of the time.)

Sunday is one of the Skaryd sibling dinners. Will it be my last with them? I sure hope not. Maybe I can talk some to visit me in Florida.

Next week I will face the same thing I faced in the dental office with my beautician. I’ve used her services for probably 20 years! She’s a friend.

And there are all our music friends. Maybe I can make it back to Evart next year. I can’t look that far ahead.

It’s really hitting me. A lot of folks are special to me. Yes, I’ll have my wonderful Florida group, but I don’t want to lose the others.

I’m sure I’m going to have to come back next year to “visit.” I can’t just walk away from all these wonderful friends and relatives.

I lost John, but I’m realizing how I’m losing a lot more than just my wonderful husband. I am also leaving behind lots of great friends.

John and I had withdrawn from most friend contacts with others. He was just to sick to get out and about. Thank heavens our Florida friends saw what was happening and realized we didn’t have a choice. We were together 24/7. But in Michigan, we really didn’t have a chance to be close to folks after John’s retirement from being the chairman of the Michigan Dulcimer Festival. After I retired from workshops at Evart we were even more isolated. For several years we hung out with a group of folks who liked country music. It was fun and we tried to join them once or twice a week. But the last two years, John couldn’t dance so we didn’t go.

We did get to spend an evening every month we were in Michigan going to a Skaryd sibling dinner. I will miss Suzie & C.T., Barb & Norm, Jerry & Marie, Robert & Linda, and David & Yong.

I guess I just have to concentrate on Florida friends. And maybe I can talk folks into visiting me in Florida.