I haven't blogged a lot lately, as the matter of fact not at all in almost two months. That's seems like a crazy long time, but I have really been trying to make the most of those few months with my friends and my family. You see we have been having to say good-bye...good-bye to 34 families that I know of in our community are leaving. Yep, you read that correctly, 34! 1/3 of the school is turning over, 5 of my dearest friends are heading on to their next adventures. Each of my little expats has a BEST friend leaving. My husband's running partner, my son's rugby coach, the shoulder's that I cry on, the emergency contacts!
This is the side of this amazing life, that isn't so amazing. I sometimes long to never get on an airplane again, to never travel. I long to live across the street from my best friend and know that I am NEVER leaving. Never worry about who's leaving next. I am the type of girl that once you are my friend, I am sorry...you are stuck with me, often for life! Just ask Beth or Laura in Denver, Karon in London, Kirsten or Kelly in Indianapolis, Nicola in Texas and of course Chris and Cheryl in California. I need my people and my little expats seem to be the same in that manner.
Over the past few months we have been to many going away parties, had "final" dinners, lunches and sleep overs. I have been having conversations about the fact that just because someone is leaving it doesn't mean that you can't still be friends. So thank you for your patience as I have shuttled kids, planned parties and enjoyed those last few special moments with my "people", I am back among the living and promise not to disappear for so long again...oh yea, unless I am planning the US expat reunion that I hear I have been put in charge of!
To all of our friends that are leaving...we wish you many more amazing adventures, new friends that help you along your way and we thank you for all that you have done to enrich our lives!
And in closing, I stole this from a friends Facebook wall;
"Friends...they cherish one another's hopes. They are kind to one another's dreams." Thoreau
Proud and lucky to be a lifetime friend! Love you so much!
ReplyDeleteOh and I you!!! Glad you got to see a little bit of our lives here in Germany! So enjoyed having you!!
DeleteWould you trade all of your experiences and meeting all the great people you have to live on the same street forever?
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your comment! No, I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world, but I do think that sometimes people assume that it is easy and carefree. I often feel that I am ready for a bit more stability.
DeleteOh how I can relate!! Wow, that's a lot of people leaving at the same time!!
ReplyDeleteIt's fun, this expat life, but I find it wearing at times too. We've been doing this for many years now and so far it's not gotten any easier. I guess I thought it would over time. Hang in there!!
It is difficult isn't it. And I just keep thinking it's going to get easier. I have to say, I fell like it's a hamster wheel that's hard to tet off of :)
DeleteGlad you are back! I have missed reading about your journey. It is hard there is no doubt about it. The rewards are great but when friends leave it can be heart breaking. There is a false perception that being an expat is quite glamorous but like everyone we have our ups and downs. Sorry you had to say goodbye to so many friends.
ReplyDeleteTake care. xx
Thank for your sweet post Gina! As I sit back and reflect, I wouldn't change it for the world!
DeleteGood to see that you're back. I already thought that you stopped blogging.
ReplyDeleteOh no Vanessa, just a small break! I am back and thanks for hanging with me!
DeleteSummer is always the expat season for goodbyes. It is one of the hardest parts, but on the plus side you have people you love all over the world and that is a great feeling :)
ReplyDeleteI so agree Amy, it is a great feeling to have people that you care about in so many wonderful places! Makes for some fun travel as well!
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