The Beginning of Lasts

By Cass

I've been reminded this week of the rapidly contracting time between now and when I leave to work in Paris full time mid-January, and the many things that I am experiencing for the last time, for a few years at least. Even the historic snowfall this past weekend was a sobering reminder of what will be my last Virginia winterland. I may be one of the very few who didn't mind not getting out of the house for four days. As excited as I am about my new job and living in the City of Lights, I'm also feeling some unexpected sentimental pricks about leaving -- my hometown, friends, family and the familiar.

Our good friend Jon Roark came over Wednesday with a fantastic Christmas gift of a painting of leaves that I coveted at the opening of a show of his work last fall. I am so honored to have such talented friends and we've always surrounded ourselves with their work in our home. For example, Jon is the artist who did the magnificent portrait of Kian and Niall that hangs proudly in our living room. I showed him the first bowl and plate from a set of dishes we've commissioned from another incredibly talented friend, Tray Eppes, using a Blue Ridge Mountain design. As I started to choke up and express how much I would miss these special people, Jon commented that between the dishes and artwork, our friends are gonna be hanging around with us in Paris. Well said. Regardless of whether we get a furnished or unfurnished apartment, where it is or how small, a piece of all of each of our dear friends will be there with us. Tangible reminders of the many laughs and memories we carry with us.

This is our last Christmas in the U.S., and we're spending it out of town -- the first time we've done that since our sons were born almost 20 years ago. We're doing that in order to take advantage of the last opportunity to spend Christmas with all of my family: my sister and her husband, their kids and families, and my new great niece, Macy Brooks Tucker, in my sister's lap in the photo above. Miss Macy B is the center of the Christmas universe this year. Many cameras are flashing as everyone makes sure to capture the fleeting moment in pictures.

But as I write this, it occurs to me that there's a big difference between perceiving this as the end of anything, with its inherent lasts, and seizing each of these moments as the important slices of life they are, and squeezing every drop from them. Yes, I feel much better now. A very Merry Christmas to all of you, my dear friends.