Saying Good-Bye

For the last few days, everyone has said “it’s not good bye, it’s see you later.”

In some instances this may be true. A big part of me feels like I will most certainly be back in Sevilla one day, and I know that many of my friends here want to visit me in the United States. The reality of it is though, for some, it is actually good-bye.

I’m not a “have a nice life” kind of person. I think that it is harsh and pessimistic and although it may be true, I’m not about to leave a relationship with someone, no matter for how long, with a phrase like that. So we say things that are a bit happier like, “I’ll see you soon,” or “till next time” to lighten the burden.

I’ve been very fortunate to get to travel the world. I have seen many places and made friends all over. That being said, I also have had to say “good bye” to a lot of folks, and so the idea of it isn’t as harsh anymore. It is a part of life that I’m used to.

That doesn’t make it any easier.

Last summer while living in the Great Smoky Mountains our director gave us a talk about closing relationships as they are, and by doing that you allow the relationship to change into what it is in the next phase. Closing one chapter allows you to open another. Seems pretty logical, and by looking at relationships like this, it has changed the way I look at saying good-bye.

The last few days I have had coffee, lunch, dinner, etc. with various people closing the relationships that we have currently. It has been a bit sad seeing folks I’m used to seeing everyday for the last time, but with a hug, a “good luck” and an “I’ll miss you,” I can prepare mentally to move on to the next step. We will never all be in Sevilla again as students in our early twenties, looking at the world with wide eyes and an anticipatory heart of what is to come next.

It will never be the same, but that is okay.

Of course I will miss the walks to class, the late night ice cream runs, the days in the park, the coffee dates, and just living life with these people. It hurts my heart to see the map of how far apart we will all be, but God willing and money permitting, we will see each other again one day.

And not to forget, there is always Facebook.

Quick note to my town:

Thank you Sevilla for giving me the semester of a lifetime.

I have laughed on your bridges, cried on your streets, danced in your rain and because of the challenges that I was presented with I have pushed myself to be the person I want to be. Your people took me in, cared for me, taught me, and helped me grow the enormous amount that I have this semester.

You will always be in my heart. NO8DO.

*NO8DO = Sevilla will never leave me. Written on Christopher Columbus’s grave which is in the Cathedral because no matter where he ended up, Sevilla always wanted him back. Now it is super popular, the city slogan, and written on virtually everything.

Tomorrow I will catch a flight from Sevilla to Madrid, and from Madrid to Munich, where I’ll catch a bus to Bamberg, Germany to visit my dear friend Natalie. Adios to my Español practice.

This next section of the journey is without studies, so I’m freed up to do what I love. Explore, write, and eat new food. Bless this month of May.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support on this adventure of a lifetime, and if you would also pray this week for my dear friends in the Methodist Student Network who are serving in Malawi, Africa this week.

Peace and Blessings.