Today I got an email from a Chinese friend showing me the most efficient method for removing the skin from a radish. My heart felt heavy and the emotion welled inside me because I knew that I would most likely never see this person again.
Today, I sent our official letter of resignation to our current employer. Over the last five years, I have lived in three countries, visited half a dozen more, walked the streets most Americans only see in the movies, learned two languages, birthed one baby in a foreign country and slept countless nights in foreign hospitals with another baby. I have swum in the Southern Pacific, Eastern Pacific AND Indian oceans. I have ridden on buses with live chickens, used a squatty potty at nine months pregnant, watched temple gods being taken out for their afternoon strolls and witnessed Buddhist and animistic rituals that would make your head spin. I hold driver’s licenses in three countries that entitle me to drive in almost 15 different ones. I learned to drive a stick shift on the British side of the road in a city where lines on the streets were merely suggestions and pedestrians truly didn’t have the right of way. I have witnessed some of the greatest beauty and some of the ugliest poverty.
Through all the glamour, adventure, and frustration there have been two overarching teachable moments. I learned the value of relationships and the secret to happiness. The secret to happiness is gratefulness in all things and under all circumstances. The value of a relationship cannot be measured.
I learned the value of a grateful heart watching Veggie Tales’ "Madam Blueberry" while melting onto a fake pleather couch in a sparsely decorated un-air conditioned apartment in Thailand. I learned about relationships by watching all the amazing people I have met.
I learned how to be friendly from a Scottish lady that invited me to a playgroup.
I learned how to be genuinely interested in other people from a couple who seemed to know everyone and be loved by all.
I learned how to invest in people from a Canadian and Californian.
I learned how to lead people from a Montana transplant from Tennessee. I learned how to listen to people from his wife.
I learned how to care for people in need from a lovely lady with four beautiful grown daughters.
I learned how to deal with adversity gracefully from a neighbor, young mom and dear friend who battled illnesses ranging from swine flu to mono to pneumonia.
I learned hospitality from a super mom with two toddlers and a charming young son.
I learned southern charm from a lovely artist who has moved more times than I have. I
learned the value of a good play date from a mom with daughters the same ages as mine.
And I learned how to love from them all and many others just like them who have been shining examples of families, parents, leaders and friends.
We will miss you and thank you for your service to us. You know who you are.
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