When we left our previous home in Africa a few years ago, a friend advised us before leaving, to go to our favorite places one last time and say goodbye to them. Or do our favorite things one last time with full appreciation.
Hard to do.
Good to do.
Healthy transition stuff, you know. Lots of crying stuff, you know.
So we did it again with this transition… leaving lovely Colorado to head back to the unknown of a new home in Africa.
We had many months to prepare for this move, so the goodbyes weren’t crammed into one week like they had been the last time around.
Last music class… H had started learning the recorder and N was loving singing in a group.
Goodbye to Sweet N’s Kindergarten classroom. Wow she thrived here…
My boy H had one of the world’s best teachers for 3 years. What a gift. Goodbye classroom…
We were both sobbing at one point, so a little comic relief was necessary…
Leaving a surprise note in his best friends supply box for him to find after we had gone. Waaahhhhhh I was such a wreck.
Sweet N’s last time eating lunch at one of her favorite places… Goodbye coffee shop…
Last day attending the distict’s Homeschool Co-op STEM program. And goodbye very sweet teachers…
Last hot chocolate date at the coffee shop. Best buddies. This was one of H’s very hardest goodbyes… his best friend. This is the stuff of breaking a parent’s heart…
Just chit chatting. Gotta love them.
Goodbye loft bed.
Last sleepover with dear, dear friends. What a special gift this family is in our lives.
Last bike ride…
A special visit from H’s teacher, Ms. Becky to say goodbye. Also a teary affair for all present. Heart-breaking.
Last time sledding…
Last jammie-movie-night on our pull-out couch. Oh wow they loved doing this!
Ugh. All this hurts so much. When we moved to Africa the first time it was just Mike and I before kids. It was difficult to leave, but we weren’t taking children with us at that point.
Leaving Africa three years ago was hard, but we had no choice, so what can you do?
But this time. THIS time it hurts deeply. Mike and I made the decision, but our 3 (4) precious kiddos have to ‘pay the price’ the same as us, but they didn’t have any say in it. I know kids are resilient and I know my children are strong. I know the pain will fade as we make a new life on the other side of the globe. But now, NOW it hurts deeply to take them out of a thriving, wonderful environment to take them to a place of so many unknowns.
God is with us.
God is with them.
His Grace covers us.
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