Another Lesson from Winnie the Pooh

“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” ~Winnie the Pooh


Winnie the Pooh is at it again!  Another nugget of wisdom from that "silly old bear".  But to be honest, I don't even know where to begin with this blog.  Over the past few days I've had to say goodbye to some people and I honestly don't like it.  I knew that eventually the time would have to come and I would leave this place, but I don't think I prepared myself well enough for this event.  I know that it is never easy to say goodbye to people, but these goodbyes feel even more bittersweet.  

While I said goodbye to some people earlier in the week, today is when it really sank in that I am leaving in just two days.  Tonight was my last youth club and when I first walked in it felt like any other youth club.  Kids were playing pool, others were on the computers, a few were just sitting around having a chat.  As the night rolled on though, it started to hit me that I was not going to be seeing these kids again next Wednesday.  Many of them had made some lovely cards to give all of us volunteers that were leaving and they were so sweet.  It was very thoughtful of them to take the time to make these adorable cards for us.  What really threw me for a loop came at the end of the night.  One of the boys who is about twelve years old began to cry.  Never in my wildest dreams did I expect him to start crying!  I almost lost it at that point.  He's such a sweet kid and it just broke my heart to see him in tears.  All of the kids I have had the honor of interacting with this year will forever hold a special place in my heart.  They truly have changed my life and I will never forget them.

I think that's why it's been so hard to say these goodbyes.  I have been on an incredible journey with all of these people.  Through the good, the bad and the ugly these people have walked along side me and have influenced me in so many ways.  I am not coming back to the United States the same girl I was a year ago.  I have learned so much about myself and have grown and moved a few steps closer to the person God created me to be.  

The bear is right though.  I do feel so lucky to have something, or in this case some people, that makes saying goodbye so incredibly hard.  I don't want to brag, but I would like to say that I am pretty good with putting words to paper, but in this case words seem to fail.  How in the world am I supposed to describe this last year?  How do I communicate to people how I've changed?  Will they be able to see the changes in me?  Will people be able to understand?  No matter what happens when I return home, I will carry all the people I've met this year in my heart.  The memories we've made together, the laughs we shared, even the tears that were shed have made this experience what it is.  I would give anything right now for these words to make sense and to be able to convey just how much this year has meant to me.  

While I am so excited to be returning home to all my family and friends, I am also very sad to leave this place that has truly become my home and the people that have become my "English" family.  I am forever grateful to them for putting up with me for a whole year.  As I move on into the next part of my life, I will always look back at this year and smile.  I am truly lucky to have these things and these people that make it so hard to say goodbye.  Thanks for one unforgettable year across the pond!