There are a few words that I have never been able to get used to saying. They taste like poison on my lips and leave my tongue with a revolting aftertaste. The word I am going to talk about right now is not only my least favorite word, but also a word that will be required for me to use countless times over the next year. It has either 4 consonants and 3 vowels, or 3 consonants and 4 vowels depending what you consider the “y”. It can be separated into two base words. One of the base words is harmless, but the other base word can bring tears. It can bring people pain,fear and anxiety. It causes worry and depression. Have you guessed it yet because I am still not ready to even type it.
I have mentioned Peter Pan in some of my other pieces of writing. I have talked about Neverland and the fantasy of living there, fighting pirates, and never growing up. In Neverland this word would not be allowed. It would be considered a profanity and a defiance of the law. (Possibly the only law)
Like I have also mentioned before this reality that we live in is unfortunately not Neverland. This word is not against the law or considered a profanity. It is used everyday, everywhere, multiple times a day. It will be required for me to learn how to say not only in English but at least 11 different languages’, I don’t think it will ever get any easier no matter what language it is or how many times I have to say it.
Ok I will say it. The word is “goodbye.” I currently have less then 35 days until I graduate from college and not many more then that before I launch for the World Race. I am so excited to leave on this incredible journey but honestly I don’t want to be done with college. These past four years have been the most challenging, amazing, fun, growing, mind blowing years of my life. I don’t want to leave and things to change. I want my friends to all be able to come with me. I want to go get drinks in Ireland with Ashley. I want to work in the schools in Africa with Anna, Dakota and Tori. I want to have random dance parties in Romania and random airports with Maria. I want to pray with Geena. I want Brittany, Alyssa, April, and Angela to be there to make me laugh about something after a day spent crying over a seemingly hopeless situation. I want Jenna, Sarah, Dallas and Lex there to just talk about anything and everything. I want Allie there to inspire and encourage me. I want Margaret and Sabine to go on crazy adventures with. I want each and every one of you with me for different reasons because you each take up such an irreplaceable part of my heart. I know I will make so many more incredible friends and I already know that my R squad has so many crazy amazing people. I am so excited to meet and live with them for a year. I just don’t want to have to say the word to anyone here at home.
So let me offer you a plea bargain. I have always been better at expressing my feelings through writing. I want to avoid that aftertaste, and having poison on my lips can’t really be healthy right? I am going to write that unholy word now. Not only will I write it once I will write it in the many languages I will be encountering over this next year. In exchange for having to say them out loud can I please just write them? I will even do it in pretty colors. Please…???
Goodbye
Slán
La revedeve
Do pobacennja
laa gòn ná
ia suhn hao-y
namaste
phir milenge
Adeus/Tchau
Sala kahle
zhai gen
Through your generous donations I now have enough to launch in July:) I am so incredibly overwhelmed by your generosity and the Lords provision. In order to stay the entire 11 months I still need about $9,000. Please pray about it and consider partnering with me on this journey. I also am also in need of notes and pictures from you to take with me because as you can tell I am going to miss you.
