Hannah and I are now experiencing our first "lasts" for our time here in Japan. Hannah, I think, feels these more profoundly than I do, however, we are both now beginning to understand that many of the routines which have become a part of our daily lives here in Tamura are about to come to an end.
Hannah went to her favorite elementary school for the last time. We had dinner with our friend Miyuki, and got our last Japanese haircuts in her shop. We taught our last 9th grade juku class. We had our last dinner with our friend Kazue. Now we begin to think, with each passing encounter, "Is this the last time I'll see them?" "Is this the last time I'll go here?" It really makes one think.
We have just about a month left in Japan, and we're just now beginning to really feel the bittersweet joys of closing a chapter of our lives we've very much enjoyed, and opening a new chapter we know very little about. Our day-to-day emotions vacillate between anxiety and excitement about the future, and twinges of sadness about leaving. We will miss our friends and teammates. We will miss little things like food, sounds, and customs. And we have, each, our list of regrets, or "I wish I could/would have...". It's not a long list, but there is a list.
There is much we will not miss, but a great deal we will. We've learned a lot here about ourselves and about life. God has been really faithful to us. In many ways, we wish we could stay, but we know, too, that it's the right time to go home.
In the coming weeks, besides packing, we have a lot of "goodbye" saying to do. It's going to be an emotional few weeks. Also, we have a lot to consider about the "What next?" question. So, thank you in advance for all your thoughts and prayers.
God bless you.
