With friends

Don't be dismayed at goodbyes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or lifetimes is certain for those who are friends.

~Richard Bach, Illusions~

Each year in spring we gather together with ornithologists in one part of Slovenia where the birds haven't been counted yet. This time we stayed in Mokronog, in the southeastern part of Slovenia. Beautiful countryside, beautiful meadows, beautiful woods. It looked so peaceful. Though my soul was restless, and in spite of a happy face I was showing on the outside, I wasn't happy and content. A pity, indeed, because such gatherings with the people can bring immense happiness.Like each year we stayed in one of the primary schools and like each year we were talking about the birds. Most of the time. Laughing, having fun. We slept about 5 hours in two days, coming from the woods at 1am and waking up at 4:30am. But this didn't really matter. Enthusiasm and happiness was seen on each and every face there (more than 20 guys and only 4 girls), when we were sitting in the shadow on the benches under the tree before going home. Unforgetable. I just wish my heart and soul were as happy as each year before. I hope that the next year I will be the happiest person on our annual gathering. More so, because it will be the last one before we start to count the birds again for the next breeding birds atlas in about five years or so.