This time next week, I will have said my goodbyes, handed over my house keys, deposited Kat the Cat with her (as yet unconfirmed) adoptive family, and left Ballymena behind me. I am, to be quite honest, scared out of my mind. I’m also very excited, full of anticipation, and very much looking forward to the start of this next chapter.
As I sit here in my de-personalised kitchen, with its empty workspaces and Artless Fridge, I’m feeling suddenly quite alone and uncertain. Last night, at a final gathering with some of my closest friends, the reality of saying goodbye began to kick in. I love my friends very much, and it’s comforting to know that they’ll continue to be an important part of my life no matter how far apart we may be. It’s just going to be strange not seeing them from day to day: meeting for coffee, sitting around strumming guitars and singing, having dinner together, doing all those casual, ‘nothing in particular’ things that we take for granted. I admit to a teary moment just now!
And yet I know that however emotional and sentimental I may become from time to time, the little things in life will always continue to make me laugh. Which is why I am grateful for the delightful character that is Dirk, who this week realised that he no longer had any clothes to wear, having not bothered doing any laundry for a ridiculously long time. All the whites were hurriedly and tightly bundled into the machine. It was a tragic oversight, the one red item that he later discovered amongst them.
“I guess I’d better get used to pink,” he said eventually. Ah, Dirk. You make it so easy to go from tears to laughter in a very short space of time.
Filed under: Fear, Mishaps, boys, cat, changes, friends, laughter, pretty pink clothes, sad, sentimentality, tears
What’s your first destination? France? Will I need a phrase book to keep up with the blog??
Am so looking forward to your unique take on traveling. And have a virtual hug to help with the jitters and sadness!
I was told that years ago when missionaries left this country to go to convert the heathen in a foreign land they were given a great send off. It involved their church and most of the members who would go down to sing them off while their ship sailed into the sunset. Would you like a group of bloggers to do that for you? What songs would you like us to sing?
Like Joey I’m also looking forward to your unique take on travelling. I also look forward to reading more of your work published elsewhere on the web and in magazine format,paperback, hardback…
Butterflies in the stomach Hails?? ‘Tis best feeling in the world. Enjoy your final week, hope it’s full of laughter and joy.
Joey - No, not France, yet. I’ll tell you when I get there… just have to keep reading!
Dave (I can’t figure out how to do the V thing, and to be honest I just don’t have the time) - I would *love* a group of bloggers to do that for me! And as my current theme tune, as I’ve been clearing out the house and preparing for The Future, is this one, I think it’ll have to be my encouraging send-off song:
http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/bonjovi/itsmylife.html See you at the airport then?
Hannah - many, many butterflies! But I’m becoming so used to them that I’ve made my peace with them and given them all individual names.
Thanks, all, for the encouraging words. I need them!
Butterflies are a good sign.
Remember that memories go with you everywhere and don’t use up baggage allowance.
Relax and enjoy the week.
D@\/e - ta-daa! Apparently it was very foolish of me to not realise how to do this, so I’m just proving that I can.
Grannymar - I like that! I’d hate to see the faces of the poor airport people if they had to deal with me checking in *my* memories…