I’ve always thought I had the travel bug in me and I couldn’t wait to explore the world. See the big building, monuments, nature and everything else. As much as I have loved the different places I’ve seen it’s not about that. The cool sights, amazing views and places of history will be something I can always bring up in conversations with people back home.
Buts it’s not what I cherish.
My favorite things about the places I’ve been is the people I’ve gotten to know. It’s about the lunch dates I got to have with those people. Yes I got to experience culture but it meant so much more to learn about it from someone who lives in the culture.
My favorite moments aren’t specific foods or views but spending time with people I had to say goodbye to. It’s the laughs shared and deep conversations about our pasts. My squad is my family but each location has brought someone that holds a special place in my heart.
The goodbyes are hard. You spend time and invest in someone to leave them in just a few weeks (sometimes, days or hours). As much as I desire to see each of these people again there is no guarantee of that in my future on earth. Some of these people live so differently than myself yet we can connect so well.
So I paused after that paragraph and continued my day. During that time I find out I will have to say goodbye to my current people 8 days sooner than originally planned. That was rough news. I am in a grieving process while totally ready for what God has planned for me next. I know He will use this for good but leaving sooner will be difficult. I have 48ish hours left and I will make the most of it that I can.
This is one of my favorite countries because the relationships I’ve gotten to make are beautiful. There have been so many laughs, so many good conversations and more. There has been healing in my soul because of these people and I am walking away changed from their love.
Goodbyes are hard. But without them I wouldn’t have the next hello. The next relationship. The next connection. The next hard goodbye. They are heartbreakingly beautiful.
