Saying good-bye

Saying good-bye is definitely not my forte. Never has been, most likely never will. Unfortunately, I've had to do a lot of that recently. Two weeks ago, it was good-bye to Kate & Sarah. This week was Gillian and Daniel. Last night Kasey, Alea and Daniel. Today I took Janice and Kurt to the airport, as they too return to the states. Almost every day this week we will be seeing someone to whom we need to say good-bye. Anyone who has moved has had to deal with this. As friends here have acknowledged the fact that we are most likely excited about moving back home, which we are, we have acknowledged that it is not without mixed emotions.

We have made many dear friends. Some we met early on. Some we only knew for a few months. But their friendship enriched our lives so that we are no longer the same people we were when we arrived. There is something very special about friendships made in a country where you are a foreigner and a stranger. Friendships between you and those from your home country. Friendships between you and those who are also foreigners and strangers. Friendships with those who are Swiss, but graciously invite you into their hearts and lives.


We have enjoyed our time in one of the most beautiful countries on earth. We have enjoyed the easy distance between our house and the Alps. We have enjoyed that opportunity to hop on the train to travel into downtown. We have enjoyed the opportunity to travel to many new and very different places which will not be readily available from the states. No longer will it make sense to ask,"So, shall we go to Paris for the weekend?" We have enjoyed low humidity summers, no weekly lawn care, as well as crème fraîche and fresh baked bread in the grocery stores.



But we are looking forward to being close to family and our US friends. Looking forward to grandkids coming!! Looking forward to being back in our own home. Looking forward to having to only think and speak in English. Looking forward to being able to do more than look at pictures when we read the paper.

And I am truly grateful that when I say good-bye to so many here in Switzerland I know that we will meet again. We will spend eternity together, worshiping our King. We treasure the many memories we have and friendships we have made, and knowing that there is a permanence that neither time nor distance can erase, brings great peace.

Auf Wiedersehen!




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Comments

Richard D said…
This is beautiful, Mrs. T. The goodbyes of life are reminders that life includes a bittersweet mix of sorrow and joy. It is life's essence. But we Christians will meet again one day--and it will be in the presence of the King!
August 26, 2009 at 6:26:00 AM EDT
Mrs. T said…
Thanks, Richard. And please, it's Pam to you, unless you're in one of my high school math classes!!
August 26, 2009 at 6:34:00 AM EDT
Diana said…
Looks like we have a lot of the same books on our lists! Definitely let me know if you think of other books you love. I'm always on the lookout for great books.
September 8, 2009 at 12:37:00 AM EDT
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