The air shipment back to the U.S. is sorted with a post it to add to it in case there is more room...
9 bags at 70 pounds each=630 pounds of luggage + 4 carry ons......thank goodness for business class on our way back!
As I was weighing and packing up the bags, I looked out the window and saw this...
The man in the picture is turning this bent up iron re bar
into perfectly straight re bar with his bare hands....
It occurred to me that when I move back, I won't see such unexpected things like this. My heart feels heavy and there is a deep pit in my stomach, but if that man can do that with his bare hands, I can have the strength to say good bye this afternoon. I just can't get over how much it feels like de ja vu to be packing up ...again. Part of me keeps forgetting that this time it is "for good". I keep feeling like I am only leaving for the summer and I'll be back in August...but this time that won't happen. I am happy to go back to the U.S., but will miss many friends I made here dearly. So, this is when I remind myself of a quote straight from the mouth of Dr. Seuss:
"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened."
So, when the kids and I are boarding the bus today and saying our final farewells, I'll remind myself of this quote and know that I am only shedding tears because of the once in a lifetime opportunity we had to live here. And, I will know that a smile will cross my face when I think about my time here.:)
Meredith - I have been following you only a couple of months as I prepare for a possible expat assignment in Nigeria. I want you to know that I was completely captivated at your ability to hone in on specific , relevant topics. You possess a gift of communication by being able to convey your emotions and thoughts in such a way that it is almost like I am there with you.
ReplyDeleteI am sad that you are leaving as I had hoped one day soon to meet you and Guy and to continue living vicariously through your adventures. I will now take comfort in your parting words and the knowledge that I have three years of posts to keep me occupied. God bless you and your family in your next phase of life.
dear jrgreentx, thank you so much for your kind words.:) Living in lagos is not easy all the time for an expat, but it is definitely full of adventure. I feel like my time there was up in a blink of an eye, and we are so grateful to have had that experience. If you go to Nigeria, please remember to "open your eyes" and see the beauty there is everywhere. Many days, it is hard to see...but it is there.
DeleteI will always have a piece of Lagos in my heart. I never knew I could have made a precious friend in Happiness while I was there. Life takes you on many twists and turns and I am so glad I opened my eyes while I was there:) Good luck on your journey and thank you so much for following mine. m:)