blessings

I went to bed last night feeling very happy. Which is odd given that I had just spent the night at the "See you in one year, Simons!" party. Yes, Mark, Weng, James and Mary Mae are headed to New Jersey for one year. And then they will return. Instead of being devastated that they're leaving, I'm seeing it as a sabbatical. (Left: Weng and I at my birthday party in March.)

Count your blessings instead of your crosses;
Count your gains instead of your losses.

There were many ways we could have spent their last night in Hong Kong....enjoying the glam views of Hong Kong in one of the fab restaurants, up at the Peak, out and about....but instead, we spent it together, our little 122 community. On the playground, the kids together, ripsticking and biking, zooming in for food, the adults coming together, chatting in groups. Laughing. Taking pictures. And naturally, eating and drinking.

Count your joys instead of your woes;
Count your friends instead of your foes.

Eventually, it was 8pm, and instead of closing shop, we decided to extend the night...the kids went to mine for movie night, and the adults went to Jennifer and Brian's for wine and nibbles. We cleaned up the playground, the kids got really excited, and raced off, to quickly bathe then head up to our place. James and Mary Mae included. If this was our last night for a while...we were going to make it a good one.

Count your smiles instead of your tears;
Count your courage instead of your fears.

We chatted about everything that 122 folks do.. the rent, development, new neighbours, schools, old neighbours. Rehashed old stories. Made new plans. Talked about funerals. And then at one point, Tinja, who moved out but is hopefully moving back to 122 soon, had to leave. And then Nate, Tara and Andrew's youngest, came downstairs to Jennifer and Brian's. Possibly he had heard how good the wine and food was. Or the music - Supertramp, Blondie, Springsteen. In the damp night his fingers moved around his plush toy, his lashes droop, and he fell asleep. And the shadows deepened.

Count your full years instead of your lean;
Count your kind deeds instead of your mean.

Susan, who is thisclose to Weng, left soon after, with her husband Paul (aka: Karaoke Man). And shortly afterwards, I knew it was time for me to go too. I had a long day Tuesday, Seb was still feeling off, and it was time to go. And I would be seeing them again. A quick private word with Weng, hugs, and then into the lift, to my flat. From one room of friendship and love to another. (Left: Weng and Susan at my birthday party in March.)