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So, after my last post, perhaps some of you are worried about us.  I tend to pretty fully inhabit my current emotion and a blog is just a snapshot, so I'd better update.

After what seemed like a plethora of ceremony, we left Haiti and arrived in Tucker GA June 10th.  The World Relief office staff had a closing ceremony for John involving singing, speeches (including his), a plaque and a standing ovation.  It made me cry which is pretty predictable, actually.  The school where I taught, QCS, had a closing banquet and I was one of three teachers leaving, so made a farewell speech and had pictures taken with friends. It was very sweet and sad as those things are.  Our church prayed for us and my students wrote me good-bye notes (some on the end of their final exams which might have been a desperate play for points), and we packed. 

I realize now what I should have realized many years ago in this Hey-Lets-Move-Internationally-Life. Most of what I keep in the attic for when I come home is 

a. plastic

b. sentimental and made by one of my children involving feathers and a hot glue gun

c. too weird for repurposing

So, right now we are sorting through various layers and resetting up our house. It is like an archeological dig.  There are the artifacts from the Clarkston Community Center, Niger, early teaching, and pre-marriage.  My sister told me in a fit of frustration while helping me pack up years ago, "You save EVERYTHING!  Do you have little ziplock bags with the puffs of air you breathed in the 80s???"  Its really not that bad, but I have found Tuareg sandels made from goat skin with the hair still on them covered in green mold. Ummm. Would anyone buy those in a yard sale?? 

People have asked how we're doing, how it is being home, etc.  Can they help?  (in my attic?? You might get lost up there.)

We're all approaching it differently. I can only speak for me.  I am grateful for the chance to be with the boys. I am also grateful to already have a job which won't mean starting completely over - I'm teaching  where I taught before we left.  And of course, I miss Haiti.  Strangers in Target don't want to hear me talk about that. I tried.

 I tend to idealize where I just lived, so gone are the memories of terrible roads, expensive food and radio announcements about the lastest shooting.  Vivid are  memories of brilliant blue skies, gorgeous beaches, engaging Haitians, our adopted  "family" who lived with us, and the kids I taught last year. It will take time to sort through all of this and come out with a sort of balance.  Keeping the richness, losing the whininess about what I don't get to keep.  I read this morning that God is faithful and true. That despite our circumstances, we cannot be separated from His love. These things are nourishing to the soul.

So, as we reconnect and replant roots and see what's next, we'll welcome old friends back into our lives.  If you come by, you may be given door prizes - art projects, a blender with the lid missing, Tuareg sandals . . .

 

 

Comments

[Robbie]

Glad you all are getting settled and adjusted.

Miss you!

[Carol Mears]

If only the sandals didn't have mold on them, I'd want them!

It is a crazy life we lead, isn't it? I'm happy for you, that you will be able to see your kids more, but I will really miss having you in Haiti.

Keep the updates coming, I'll be looking for them!
blessings,
Carol