Leaving

It’s true.
We’ve left, Nong Khai.

I remember when Lara and I just got to Nong Khai, probably a day or two into officially living at the Isara house we agreed that, “ I have a feeling that I’m going to be sad to leave this place”—and whaddaya know, we definitely were! And our nasal passages and eyes proved it. It felt surreal to leave this charity that housed us over the few months that we’ve been in this foreign country. Kirk and Ming provided the comfort, safety and room to grow in this place. We could ask for more. We all developed such a strong bond with one another, just enough for us to feel comfortable to make jokes and to confide in one another. And it didn’t take much to do this, especially when you’re working with altruistic people who really have admirable qualities in themselves. I appreciate you guys so much. Thank you, Kirk & Ming.

It was incredibly difficult to leave. Felt tears fill my ducts, emptying out to my hands because I didn’t want to show people that I was sad to leave. I wanted everyone to know that I was extremely thankful for their presence in my life and everything they’ve provided for me, internally. I left e-mails to those I bonded with and gave big hugs to the kids who came by after school (it was a Tuesday, so they didn’t have class… it was still nice that they were there!). I knew that it was going to be different the moment I stepped outside that house; Lara and I would be alone again. We had an unsettling feeling when we finally left those doors and stepped into our departing tuk-tuk. Kirk and Ming followed us to the bus station where we were departing for Udon Thani then to Chiang Mai. I couldn’t help but continue to cry because I knew that I would miss every moment being at Isara and I knew that it was to the extent that this was such an amazing, eye-opening experience for me. I knew I would miss the kids, the laughter, the lost in translations, the practicing of the alphabet, the badminton games, the tiring and endless games of colored bingo, the “good after-noon, teeeechaaas”… all of that. And as far as living in the house, I can’t even begin to bullet point what I’d miss, we all had a great time living under this one roof together.

Thank you to everyone, for giving me your friendship, bestowing your wisdom, sharing your stories, allowing Lara and I to be a part of something greater than ourselves and opening your arms to a little girl with a big heart.

You will all be missed.