G'day Dennis,
Don't think of it as saying goodbye to an ole friend, think of it as meeting some new friends, i.e. Jack Frost, Old man Winter, and if you're really lucky and get hypothermia a whole new group of buddies at the hospital emerg waiting room. Though I think you shouldn't be complaining too much as winter and the tire business means you can afford $400.00 of high tech clothing and the odd trip to warmer climates.

Peace
Peter