Today John and I went to our friends' for an open house. They are moving back to their native Canada, and the purpose of today's event was to get rid of the many little bits and pieces that have made up their home here in Egypt. We walked away with a few little treasures, things like a crock pot, which you can't find here, a spring form pan, and English books.
What a strange feeling it is to shop in your friends' closets, and yet that's what happens every year around this time. That's what happens in our little ex-pat community. Every year at this time families that we have become close to, whose children I've taught, who we've gone to church with, begin preparing to leave. Sometimes their company or government moves them to another county or back to their home country. Sometimes their visas are not renewed and so they must leave. Sometimes they have just finished what they came here to do. For whatever reason, they must go.
I been part of this cycle for a while now. It's always difficult. This year though, several of our closest friends are going. These are the people who we hang out with after work, who we spend our days off with, who we go on holiday with, who we pray with when we're struggling and when we're not. They were our closest friends when we were fighting all of our government issues trying to get married. They are those people who have gotten to know me so well that they finish my sentences. They won't be here when we all reconvene to begin another school year, and I'm really struggling with that.
The thing is: this constant turnover of friends is something that will be part of my life forever. I live in Egypt. I wasn't born here. I don't even speak the language very well. But this is my life. For better or worse. And sometimes this life weighs heavier on the 'better' side of the scale, and sometimes this life weighs heavier on the 'worse' side. On days like today, when I find myself staying yet again, watching my friends go, saying my goodbyes, it feels a little bit heavy on the 'worse' side. I'm sure tomorrow will hold something that will weigh heavily on the 'better' side. But for now, sigh, I will prepare for goodbyes.
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6 comments:
Interesant blog.
Ahhh, I am sorry. I wish I was ther to give you and hug. Trust the lord sweetie and he will give you strength!
That breaks my heart-I know exactly how you feel-only I am usually the one to leave. They will miss you too. Do you get very many new ones as the old ones go? Sometimes they need friendship as much as you do(trust me I know). Just know that you are significant to Him in all of this and you are where you are suppose to be now for such a time as this. Trust Him today and He will take care of your tomorrows. He will give you the strength you need (just like Jacque said)-as you need it. Take time and let Him love on you awhile so He can confirm that to you. ps thanks for your words to me on reading my blog. Love You-hugs!
Is it possible to incorporate visits to them when you come to the states? Hopefully they'll have a new little one by then. Listen to your aunts, they have much wisdom. I too wish I could be there with you at times like these!!!
Thanks you guys. I'm tearing up again as I read your comments. (I think I'm just going to be an emotional mess for the next month or two.) It's wonderful to be loved. By Christ, by you all, by my ever-patient-with-my-tears hubby.
:( I hurt with you.
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