Looking to the future, it will probably be hard one day to say goodbye to Jackson (and Shannon and Greg). It's not that they will go far away (right now, the biggest distance from us would probably be Virginia) but, eventually, they will probably be farther than they are now (about a 2 1/2 hour drive now). Right now, we see them reasonably frequently, but, every extra (driving) hour away will make it more difficult -- on them and us.

It was hard to say goodbye when they each went off to college -- Carrie especially, as she was the last -- but, at the same time, that seemed like something they were "supposed" to do -- and none were more than a couple hours away.

I've had some miserable times saying goodbye to dogs -- especially the ones who left before their time -- even though, I guess, whether dogs or humans, your time is your time.

Lynn