Moments Worth Mentioning

It only takes a minute to say hello.  To meet someone new is relatively easy.  We extend our hand, make eye contact, utter a formal greeting and it’s done.  Whether this person will become a simple acquaintance or a lifelong friend takes a longer time period to establish, but the simple act of saying hello is easy.

Saying goodbye on the other hand can be so much more difficult.

Several of the people that I said “hello, nice to meet you” to only a few months ago are now leaving.  The Fall is upon us, and with the change of season people are parting ways.  New jobs, going back to school, mission trips or just a desire for a change of scenery are taking my friends to new places.  Across the state, across the country, and across the globe they go… to start new lives and say some new “hellos”.  We were privileged to have the time with each other.  We have the memories.  We have the lessons learned.  I am truly happy for them.  I am so very proud of their bravery to face the new endeavors.  Bottom line, I have come to the realization that they had an impact on me, and that life is going to be a little bit different without them.

As these goodbyes approach, I become very aware of the things that I want to say to them as I wish them farewell. I feel the burden of time as the departure dates loom. Isn’t that typical?  We can sit down and talk to someone for a long time and finally, at the end of the conversation, we finally say what we have been meaning to say.  We take for granted the time we have… the time we had.

Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what is going to happen next.  Changes can be scary.  Its easy to feel uncomfortable when life’s normal patterns begin to look a little different.  But, in the end, everything will work its way out in the way God intended.  My friends will move on to chase their dreams, and we will adapt to the changes that occur in their absence.

Lionel-Moving to Maryland for a new job.

Austin- One of my forever favorites...He is now in Baltimore, one step closer to taking a tour in Afghanistan.

David-Starting medical school. Oh so proud of him!!

Chris-Truly an example of having faith in God's plan... he is off to Africa for a few months.

Carl-Off to Memphis for a new job.

Yusuke-The first to leave us....He is now living and working in Seattle.

I will miss these guys so much!!  I wish you all the best of luck in your new adventures.  You all have truly touched my heart, and I can’t wait until our paths cross again!!!