Hi, Ladies. I've been doing a lot of thinking and praying about Cafe Nudge these last few weeks, wondering just what to do, or whether to do anything, for us as a group. I decided to simply wait until I knew for sure, and I didn't have to wait long. Yesterday, Paige sent me a email that made things clear, in that beautiful way that makes you go, "Ahh, of course. That's it."

Here's what she said:

I’ve been thinking a lot about you and Cafe Nudge lately. I noticed that you hadn’t uploaded a post for last week and thought it was perhaps due to the lack of responses on your previous message. I realize that you’re extremely busy, and that’s precisely why I wanted to email you. I love reading the blog; I love reading your inspiring words- that will never change. However, I want you to know that I understand if you decide to shut down Cafe Nudge. You are 1 woman. No one should expect you to maintain 4(?) blogs! Heck, I cannot even keep up the one I have. From what I know of you, you seem to be really passionate about working with tweens, although you’ve also grown to like working with teens. I’ve loved growing up with you (and I am certain that Melody and the other ladies would second this), but we will ALWAYS be your fans, regardless of whether we have a blog or not. I know that whether you’re posting on there or not, I will still want to keep in contact with you. I love you, Mrs. Rue, and I cherish the work you do, but you’ve got so much on your plate. Please don’t feel like you’re letting us down if you decide to focus elsewhere.

Can you see why that was absolutely perfect? I believe it was a God thing and I'm going with it -- in both sadness because it's time for our relationship to change (just as I was sad when I left my daughter at college) and in joy that you are almost-grown women now, with whom I can have a deeper kind of friendship with on a one-on-one basis, if that's what you'd like.

Some of us have been together since you were twelve years old -- others are more recent members of this community. Whenever you joined us, I think of you all as daughters, and I will continue to. So if you ever need me, or you want to share something celebration worthy, please, please feel free to email me. Since I'm cutting back on a lot of things, I'll have more time to get back to you the way I always want to. 

I'll keep the blog up for about two weeks in case you want to weigh in, say final words, connect with each other for future on-line get-togethers. How about December 1 for an official closing date? I'll still read your comments until that day, but, again, don't hesitate to email me privately. That's nnrue@att.net. 

I love you ladies. Thank you for letting me be part of your lives -- and for being such an important part of mine.

Blessings,

Nancy Rue