Lobster in a Bucket

Week 1, Part 1 "Saying Goodbye"

This is the week of saying goodbye, it began with my great friend Wes Hollowell (pictured above)
and his nuptials with Leesa Boykin (also). The wedding was wonderful, southern, beautiful, and filled with holy moments. Overall I'd say the wedding left me sobered and focused. The import of Wes and Leesa's transition forced me to take my own transition from America to Uganda seriously. With my pending departure from the US for a whole year, I've had to say a lot of good-byes.

After saying goodbye to Wes and Leesa, I went up to Chattanooga on Sunday night. Over the course of Monday and Tuesday, I bid farewell to Todd, Josiah, Mesh, Morris, Hannah, my RD from last year Chris and Carol Clark, and a bunch of my guys from my RAship last year. I didn't suceed in really having an emotional moment with all these people, but I hope they all know that I love them, and cherish them.

I think you need to say good bye to people well in order to begin new relationships well. It's easy when you leave someone to act in a way to minimalize the loss. I've found that if you really embrace the loss, by allowing yourself to not only feel some sadness, but to communicate it, you are rewarded with the opportunity to really get a sense of how much your friends really matter to each you, and what gifts they have.

After a week of embracing this time of separation, I've found myself eager to begin new relationships as good as the old, but with new people. People like the missionaries I'll be working with. Or the young guy I'll be living with, Josh Trott.