As the school year draws to a close we've started to notice an interesting phenomenon that will likely to become all too common in the years ahead living overseas. In our Canadian experience the end of school marks a big celebration and beginning of school holidays. For expats living in foreign lands the end of school marks a sadder note, goodbyes.
Of #1's nine classmates, two are leaving permanently and one will leave before the end of school with plans to potentially return in the fall. Essentially 1/3 of #1's class will be new in September. Already this year her class has been a revolving door with several classmates leaving for months at a time before returning again. Even though we've only been here nine months, goodbyes are becoming all too common.
As adults we understand the global nature of the world and how easily we can migrate from one country to another. We understand how necessary moving is for most lines of work. In the first ten years of our relationship J & I lived in ten different homes across three countries and several cities. We understand and can rationalize why we need to say goodbye so often but its different for the girls.
Already #2 is counting down the days till her good friend's departure. Everyday she asks, 'How many more days before S departs??' Truth be told, she is also counting down the days before we start babysitting S's hamsters (or 'monsters' as she calls them). Regardless of what she is counting down for there is a certain sense of loss and mourning in her questions.
When the first set of grandparents came in February we immediately noticed that the girls were a little shy and held back their affection. Even though we had seen the grandparents almost weekly on skype the girls weren't comfortable in lavishing love as they had in the past. It took a couple of weeks for G&G to rebuild the rapport and unfortunately then they had to leave again. When the next set of grandparents arrived in April we knew what to expect but it was still heartbreaking to see the girls struggle with their emotions around loved ones that they knew would leave again.
All of this coming and going is reminding us of an even greater reality in the world. How loved ones enter and leave in a much more permanent sense. We often reflect on the image of Paul hugging and weeping with his brothers and fellow coworkers as his boat readies to depart for Rome knowing with great certitude that a reunion would not likely happen again on earth. We dearly hang on to the hope that every goodbye will also bring a great reunion, if not here, then in the world to come.
Of #1's nine classmates, two are leaving permanently and one will leave before the end of school with plans to potentially return in the fall. Essentially 1/3 of #1's class will be new in September. Already this year her class has been a revolving door with several classmates leaving for months at a time before returning again. Even though we've only been here nine months, goodbyes are becoming all too common.
As adults we understand the global nature of the world and how easily we can migrate from one country to another. We understand how necessary moving is for most lines of work. In the first ten years of our relationship J & I lived in ten different homes across three countries and several cities. We understand and can rationalize why we need to say goodbye so often but its different for the girls.
Already #2 is counting down the days till her good friend's departure. Everyday she asks, 'How many more days before S departs??' Truth be told, she is also counting down the days before we start babysitting S's hamsters (or 'monsters' as she calls them). Regardless of what she is counting down for there is a certain sense of loss and mourning in her questions.
When the first set of grandparents came in February we immediately noticed that the girls were a little shy and held back their affection. Even though we had seen the grandparents almost weekly on skype the girls weren't comfortable in lavishing love as they had in the past. It took a couple of weeks for G&G to rebuild the rapport and unfortunately then they had to leave again. When the next set of grandparents arrived in April we knew what to expect but it was still heartbreaking to see the girls struggle with their emotions around loved ones that they knew would leave again.
All of this coming and going is reminding us of an even greater reality in the world. How loved ones enter and leave in a much more permanent sense. We often reflect on the image of Paul hugging and weeping with his brothers and fellow coworkers as his boat readies to depart for Rome knowing with great certitude that a reunion would not likely happen again on earth. We dearly hang on to the hope that every goodbye will also bring a great reunion, if not here, then in the world to come.
1 comment:
As I read this I feel so undeservingly blessed to have those continual "easy snuggles" with our grandkids. Who would have ever thought that might be a hard thing for your girls with your families visiting. :(. Something we should never take for granted. I had a good chuckle with the story about Dave's "pasty white legs". Well it is one way to be remembered by your neighbours!
Love you guys and holding you up!
Xxoo
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