The Goodbye Tour

I said goodnight to my 10 year old nephew for the last time tonight and I didn't cry... for 5 minutes, and then a few slow tears rolled down my cheek as my father watched Big Bang Theory in the recliner next to me, a reminder that life goes on and people get into routines....

A few hours before this, I was enjoying a dinner with my high school friends and being reminded that when a friend moves away, people tend to make time for gathering when that person is back in town. At this stage in life, living near a person doesn't equate seeing a person, not because of any reason other than the fact that you think you can see them whenever, but forget to make the plans. But being faced with an opportunity to miss a person when they are in town is the test of how much you value that friend's presence and so gatherings become more valuable. I needed to hear that because I'm definitely already pretty sure #fomo will haunt me while I try to adjust to a new culture and make new friends.

This past weekend I said goodbye to my extended family as we celebrated Christmas in July, an annual family party which is basically just an excuse to eat seafood, swim and put out Christmas decorations. My cousins hugged me, called me brave and wished me luck. I at least know when I'll see them next, without question. It's nice to know when you get to keep tradition.

The week before, my friends from my neighborhood where I have lived for the past 8 years threw me an awesome party with my face on a cake, a memory book--not unlike a yearbook, which everyone knows I love-- and just a great time. It's kind of amazing how many people were there letting me know that they valued our time together, memories that filled a book, a t-shirt, several cards and more. I know there will be many #fomo moments with this group, but I also feel like I'll be able to jump right in when I can.

A couple of weeks before that, I was honored as [one of] the Teacher[s] of The Year by the PTA at my school and my kids generally seemed to endorse this choice and I also got to celebrate my departure with my awesome colleagues with a perfect beach day complete with a ride I've always wanted to try. It's hard knowing I'm leaving a supportive environment like this.

It's all a build up to a new life. It's crazy because when I think about it, the last time my life changed in an significant way, I started adulting because I had a masters and a real job and before that I'd say graduating from college and moving back home with a degree and a [different] job [I didn't like]. But that's the way this feels, like a graduation. There are parties to go to, people wishing me luck and giving me presents and I'm not sure what I'm graduating from and probably even less so to. Am I graduating from my life? Am I actually graduating to something better in any way, or just different? I guess that remains to be seen.

Until then, the goodbye tour continues. Next up, goodbye to my shit. I have a lot of it....



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