Don’t be dismayed by goodbyes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or lifetimes, is certain for those who are friends. Richard Bach.
Yesterday I said goodbye to my church family (Doncaster Church of Christ), after attending there for almost forty years. It seems bizarre to think we will be joining a different church when we return to Australia. But I went to all three Sunday services and talked about what we are doing with our Nepal adventure. People I hadn’t seen for weeks or months, or even years came to say hello and wish us luck. It was like landing in my childhood, in a place I lived as an adult.
On Saturday we also had friends over for a lazy day of farewells in the backyard. The kids rode wild through the (mostly empty) house, and we chatted and snacked and spent time. And then at the end of it, tried to pretend it was not really goodbye.
And last week I left my hospital, Northern Health. Which means I am unemployed again for the first time in 5 years. It also means I have left my community of over two years. I have friends in all fields there – even obstetricians! I walked back through on Wednesday and kept running into people I would miss, and hugs and kisses to be had. I walked out having missed lots of people – a slightly disappointing farewell. I wanted to spend time telling everyone how I had loved working there; how they had inspired me. The impact will live longer in my mind than theirs, I suspect.
At this point in time, packing the house and ending our life here, it feels more negative than positive. The excitement of our adventure has faded into the background a little. The kids are out of sorts, which may be partially because there is hardly anything in the house they can play with or eat.
As we pack up our house and close this chapter, I remember that I take my people with me. My friends travel with me through social media, email and their dreams of adventure. And my best people, my core, my family, and my God, roll their bags alongside me, and we will experience the adventure together.
Never go on trips with anyone you do not love. Ernest Hemingway
It was really special and meaningful for us to share with you guys in each of our services last Sunday – to hear about the what and why of your adventure to Nepal and to offer our prayer support. On behalf of all of us here at Donny I want to wish you all the best as you head off tomorrow. May God challenge, grow, bless, enrich, lead you as you step out on this new chapter. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you and we will follow all your happenings with interest. Safe travels!
@Russ Croxford: Thanks. It was a great day for us too.