For the past 6 months, my life has been a series of ‘goodbyes’ as I begin this new chapter of my life.
First, it was ‘goodbye’ to my very best friend HBear. Last July, my sister moved away to get her doctorate in chiropractic care (hello, free adjustments!) In March, she came to get a lot of her wedding stuff done and then I traveled back home with her to Port Orange, Florida. My first goodbye was 58 days ago and technically still counting until I see her in September.
Second, it was ‘goodbye’ to my co-workers. Ever since I have been back at J.Alexander’s, I have grown very close to a few of my colleagues (yes, you know who you are.) It was hard saying goodbye, but I’ll see y’all in two months!
Then I said farewell to my church – this includes friends, family, mentors, and small groups I’ve been involved with. My mom threw a little going away party with these people in my life. As they prayed over me, I just sat there in tears. I cried because there is so much love and support through my friends and family.
I’m leaving my home, my country, my friends, & my family to serve the Lord and His kingdom in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Goodbyes are really, really tough. I will miss the people and places so much while I am gone. I have cried on very many occasions these past six months (and will undoubtedly cry again before the two months is up).
But through all of my farewells the past few weeks, I’ve learned that goodbyes aren’t all that bad. As I begin to board my flight to Atlanta to go to my training camp, I am remembering that theses farewells have come with their own special type of blessing.
Goodbyes teach you to value what you have. Right before leaving communities that I was a part of, I particularly noticed how much I valued how close we were. This feeling of love and care is not one that would as easily be noticed if nothing were to change. If everything is to remain the same, we wouldn’t learn to value the people in our lives and to realize how much they mean to us. Goodbyes teach us to not take anything for granted; the good-morning texts from your mom, the late-night small-talk with your boyfriend or the hugs you receive from your best friends. Although leaving is so discouraging, it does finally open up our eyes to all the blessings in our lives.
I am leaving for Haiti and the Dominican Republic for TWO MONTHS! What a blessing and opportunity I have right now.
Goodbyes make ways for better opportunities. Goodbyes don’t change what really matters. Although leaving people who you love is heartbreaking, those who matter will never truly say goodbye. My friends from back home and I have completely separate lives now and we don’t know when the next time that we will see each other, but we try our best to go on a call/text every now and then. I won’t be living with my parents anymore, but I will still text them nearly every day. Saying ‘farewell’ to people you love is simply an obstacle in your relationship and not an ending. As for me, I have my parents, my siblings, my good friends from the Memphis, my new friends with the World Race and a good Father who promises to never leave and forsake me.
THANK YOU to everyone who supported me and my journey! You guys rock & I deeply love you all for the support and prayers!
