#1 - I'm too busy! We've all been running around like crazy wrapping things up in the U.S. Yesterday I spent all day of cleaning the rental house. It was exhausting, but therapeutic. Today the big task is packing up the suitcases. It will be a juggling act to say the least. We'll have to separate everything into two categories: what is needed for our road trip, and what we'll need later in France. Then we'll have to somehow fit everything into the rental car (fortunately we rented a large SUV). It will definitely challenge my organizational skills.
#2 - I'm too sad. I haven't really felt like blogging, because I knew I'd have to deal with what is actually front and center, emotionally speaking. This has been a long period of really difficult goodbyes. First, we said goodbye to Greg's parents and grandmother in Georgia. That was especially tough. Next week it will be my turn to leave my parents. I am not looking forward to that!
In between cleaning and packing, we've made room for lots of opportunities to say goodbye to friends. We've made great friends in this area over the years, from neighborhood friends to church friends to school friends. Some of our closest friends came from the homeschool community. We have been a part of a wonderful Classical Conversations community for eight years, and it has become like family to us.
The girls have had one sleepover after another with their besties. Each one has been bittersweet, because they've definitely had fun, but at the end of every sleepover it was time to say farewell for good. I believe that many of these girls will remain life-long friends, but it still hurts. Each of my daughters handles it differently. One is stoic and steady. She looks to the future, and realizes that she'll see her friends again someday. The other one wears her heart on her sleeve and feels the present pain. She squeezes her friends so tightly that they probably can't breathe. This daughter has shed many tears this week.
One of the most difficult goodbyes is coming tonight. We're all dreading this one: our sweet dog is going to a new home. Again, this is bittersweet, because we could not have found a better situation for her. She's going to a great couple who really want her. But in a way this is like sending away one of our children. We've had this dog for almost 10 years, and she's like every dog should be: loyal, happy, and comforting. She's part of the family and will be missed.
We've known all along that saying goodbye would be a part of the journey. Yes, we knew it was coming, but that hasn't made it easier. Although we got some great training from ReachGlobal about how to say "good" goodbyes, each parting has still been painful. What encourages me is looking to the future. With each goodbye, there will certainly be a new "hello." I will make new friends. So will Greg. So will Lori and Lindsey. We'll have a new church family, and the girls will make new friends at school. These friends won't replace the old; they will expand our community and enrich our lives.
I'm reminded of what Jesus said to his disciples about leaving everything and everyone behind for the sake of the gospel: "Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times as much at this time and in the age to come, eternal life." (Luke 18:29-30). In God's family, goodbye is never forever!
You’re off to Great Places! You’re off and away!
ReplyDeleteYou have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes.
You’ll find the bright places where Boom Bands are playing
There is fun to be done.
There are games to be won.
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
And I wonder if you know
ReplyDeleteThat I never understood
That although you said you'd go
Until you did I never thought you would
Never thought the words you said were true
Never thought you said just what you meant
Never knew how much I needed you
Never thought you'd leave, until you went
DON MCLEAN - EMPTY CHAIRS LYRICS