Farewell and goodbye

I hate goodbyes and I am really bad at them. I get awkward and clumsy or really sappy and blubberish- especially if I will not see the person for a long time. So instead I prefer to do the “pretend that it is not really goodbye for a long time” thing- meaning I just say “Bye, see you later” like it is no big deal all the while trying to hold in the blubbering, sappy, awkward fest.

Although I hate goodbyes, I feel like I do them often. The first of the monumental send offs was when I moved from Georgia to Arizona. While it was hard to leave everyone in my family, I particularly remember saying goodbye at the airport to my little twin nieces, who at the time were 4 years old. With their sweet cherub cheeks and baby curls, they fought over who would get to hold Aunt Lori's hand. While they didn't grasp the meaning of the separation, I was devastated that they would continue to change and grow while I was gone. And they did. Every time I return to Georgia, they are taller and so not babies anymore. In fact, those little girls start high school tomorrow! A lot has changed since that airport goodbye!

 

I also vividly remember my mom crying when I moved to Arizona. I tear up just thinking about it. Actually, my mom crying at the airport is a reoccurring image because I think she has cried every time I left after a visit. Now that I am a mom, I get it. If my daughter moved across the country, she would take my heart with her. So now my heart grieves every time for the grandparents that have to say goodbye to a certain adorable, curly-haired princess.

 

The sadness I felt when I moved across the country was multiplied when I moved across the world- across the world! No longer was I only a short plane ride away. I felt the sting of this goodbye all the way to my core. It was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. Blubber fest for sure.

Yesterday, I had another monumental goodbye. My husband of 9 years left for another country without me- on a day when the whole world was on high alert for a terrorist attack. Insert nervous sigh. But I managed to keep it together as best I could at the airport when I dropped him off. That was until from the backseat Charlie said, “Where daddy go?” Me- “Daddy went bye bye on the plane.” Charlie- “No, I want daddy. See daddy. Please. Please. Mommy please, see daddy. No bye bye. Charlie go too. I want see daddy.” Insert choked up crying mommy saying, “me too honey.”

 

I am happy to say that Josh has arrived safely in Cameroon and already has duties lined up at the Rainforest International School for the next week while he waits for his ride to CAR.

 

We would love if you could pray for safety for him over the next month as he returns to CAR to complete several projects. Also that he would have discernment as he decides whether it is safe for Charlie and me to join him there in a month or whether we should go to Cameroon as a family. Charlie and I have another monumental goodbye facing us in a month's time as we go back to Africa too, please pray for meaningful and memorable times with family this month. Thank you and

goodbye.

 

Now try to watch Kermit say goodbye to Miss Piggy without shedding at least one tear. I dare you.