"This is the last time I'll have to take out the wheely bin!" Brendan said happily to me this morning.
That is definitely a good "last". But I'm getting a bit nostalgic about leaving England, and there are some "lasts" that I'm not looking forward to. I heard the Tuesday night church bell-ringing practice for the last time. I'm going to the last Friday school awards assembly this afternoon. I had breakfast with the American ladies for the last time yesterday morning. They pilfered through my pantry and left-over electronics to see what they could use. We can't ship any food, and we can't use the British electronics in America.
I am excited about going home. I can't wait to have some concentrated family-time this summer, but it will be hard to say goodbye to friends. Mostly, I don't say goodbye, just promise to keep in touch and invite them to come visit us when we get into a house, whenever that will be.
The people we've met and the friends we've made have made all the difference in living in a foreign country. At first, it was difficult to meet people, because the British have a quiet reserve about them, and they do not take the initiative. I had to be the one to step forward and say hello. But once that was over, I made some true friends, ones that I hope to stay in touch with for the rest of my life, although I'm the worst at staying in touch.
I mentioned the American ladies. Most of them have been here longer than us. Some have already moved on. Some have gotten citizenship and British passports, so they're free to live and work throughout the EU. They alone know what it's like to uproot their families and move to England so their husbands could take a job at this company. I have treasured our Thursday breakfasts and lunches, which stretched on for hours as we compared notes about where to shop, how to overcome our British moments, raising young children, supporting our husbands, and sometimes listening to each other's moans about missing home.
Another group I'll miss is the Wednesday morning bible study group. More than anyone, these ladies have supported me and helped me grow in my faith. We've cried, and laughed, and searched together. They are so dear to me. I'll miss them.
Then, there's Grange Park Church - the livliest, noisiest, on fire bunch of people I've met. I helped design crafts for a Moms and Tots group and ran the craft stall at Kidzone, which gave me a much needed creative outlet. And I taught Sunday School for the 9 and 10-year-olds. They ask wonderful, challenging questions. I briefly helped on the building committee, which was a glorious glimpse at how God pulls together all the right people at the right place and time to make things happen. I wish them luck with their new endeavor.
I also served on the school Board of Governers, which gave me a deeper understanding and appreciation for how Church of England, Voluntary-Aided schools are run. It helped to make me comfortable with the type of education Brendan received, which I think has been top-notch. But more than anything, each governor and teacher is committed to making the school a safe, happy, accepting place, unlike any other I've seen. It will be difficult to find it's equal in the states and I will always be involved in the life of Brendan's school.
Then there are the friends I've made in the village, mostly parents of Brendans close friends - Nina, Niki and Nita, who have helped me immensely in so many ways. They are so lovely.
Bill has just arrived home from his last day of work, so I'll sign off. Pray for us and wish us luck tha the move goes smoothly and we don't lose anything this time.
