My Sweet Laken

Our oldest, Laken Julia, got a work promotion and moved to Loveland, Colorado (3 hours from us) at the end of April of this year.  She's an introvert and doesn't make friends very easily.  She's got to get to know someone really well before she'd call them friend, and she just doesn't put herself out there to really meet anyone.  She spends most of her time at work, but she can't really form any friendships there as it's frowned upon.  So, she's lonely all the way up there.  Whenever she has at least a day and a half off or more, she comes to see us.  She took a week of vacation and spent it all with us.  I'm so thankful that she wants to spend her free time with us.  She came to visit this weekend for the Pueblo Chile and Frijoles Festival, and as always, when she left it was absolutely heart-wrenching.  About a half hour before she has to leave, we all start to feel sick at our stomachs and the bawling starts.  Reminds me of when I leave my sweet sisters behind or vice versa.  Today, I hugged her forever.  I wanted to tell her to quit that *&%$! job and move home.  She must have been reading my mind . . .  She said, "Only six more months until my apartment lease is up and I can request a transfer closer to home."  Home.  I can't wait.  I miss my Lakey Juldie . . .  <3