I leave today in approximately 5 hours. I look around my room and can't help but notice that it has become my space. I've hung things all over the walls, i have souvenirs proudly displayed on my desk, and my purse is hung over my desk chair like it belongs there. As I sip on my coffee and look around MY room the tears start to come. I remember walking into this room for the first time 4 months ago. I uneasily sat on my bed and looked around and thought 'well i should probably put some stuff on these white walls'. I never imagined that in just a short time I would feel comfortable here. I haven't been able to pack anything yet because I want to remember my room the way it is now so I'm trying to keep it this way for as long as possible.
Last night was quite possibly the hardest night of my life. I made my family apple pancakes for dinner. Then I gave them my parting gifts of an Ohio picture book, an Ohio ornament (that coincidentally matches their color scheme), and Ohio playing cards. I also wrote pretty extensive thank you notes for each one of them. They read the notes out loud which I was not expecting. Ana Lu and Mami started crying first. I was holding myself together until Ana Lu looked at me and mouthed the words 'thank you'. I gifted my electric keyboard to her for her birthday. She was shocked and so appreciative. I learned just last week that she's wanted to learn for years.
Then Mami surprised me with some gifts. First, a t-shirt that she embroidered with the cathedral in the plaza and the volcano Misti in the background. Second, Papi knew how much i love llamas and friends so he designed the pattern for the alpaca pillow case below and Mami embroidered it:
They all went around the table and said some of the nicest compliments I have ever received. I will never forget what Mami said to me. She said she has always wanted 4 children and having me here was like a dream and that she doesn't want her 3rd daughter to leave her. She said I have a kind spirit and an open heart and that she appreciated my openness to trying every new thing. She sent gifts with me to take to my parents as a thank you for sharing me with them for 4 months. She said to tell my parents that they raised me well. She told me to never stop reaching for my dreams and to write her about my accomplishments so she can be proud from afar. I had calmed myself down and stopped the water works when Ale got the advent candles. Yesterday was the 3rd sunday of advent. Papi lit 3 of the 4 candles and read a passage. Then they all prayed individually for me, thanking God for my presence, and praying for safe travels and a quick return to Arequipa. Tears streamed down my face as i received their parting blessing, just as they are streaming down now.
I never expected to fall in love with this family and this city. But I have. Leaving is going to be indescribably hard. I have found myself here. All the pieces I've been missing over the past several years I've found waiting for me in this family, in my new friends and my new adventures. I am ready to go home for the holidays but I am not ready to say goodbye to Arequipa. Perhaps I'll just say 'see ya later' instead.
Last night was quite possibly the hardest night of my life. I made my family apple pancakes for dinner. Then I gave them my parting gifts of an Ohio picture book, an Ohio ornament (that coincidentally matches their color scheme), and Ohio playing cards. I also wrote pretty extensive thank you notes for each one of them. They read the notes out loud which I was not expecting. Ana Lu and Mami started crying first. I was holding myself together until Ana Lu looked at me and mouthed the words 'thank you'. I gifted my electric keyboard to her for her birthday. She was shocked and so appreciative. I learned just last week that she's wanted to learn for years.
Then Mami surprised me with some gifts. First, a t-shirt that she embroidered with the cathedral in the plaza and the volcano Misti in the background. Second, Papi knew how much i love llamas and friends so he designed the pattern for the alpaca pillow case below and Mami embroidered it:
I never expected to fall in love with this family and this city. But I have. Leaving is going to be indescribably hard. I have found myself here. All the pieces I've been missing over the past several years I've found waiting for me in this family, in my new friends and my new adventures. I am ready to go home for the holidays but I am not ready to say goodbye to Arequipa. Perhaps I'll just say 'see ya later' instead.
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