suzannainthesand

I’m just gonna lay it on the line… I suck at good-byes.

If you had the great misfortune of crossing my family’s path at O’Hare on August 13, 2014, you unwillingly observed one of the grittiest displays of snot, tears, and sweat outside of a South Africa/New Zealand rugby match. Not our strongest moment. Ultimately, I physically peeled myself away from Kate and Jenna when I could no longer breathe.

Yet, all three of us survived the separation.

It’s a given that I’ll cry again when I see my girls, but it will be tears of relief. We did it! And this opportunity afforded us experiences that were comically far-removed from our previous version of normal.

Unfortunately, in moving back home I must distance myself from my social circle here, the people who have kept my head above water while I was 7500 miles away from everyone and everything familiar. We undertook this journey together, sharing laughs, tears, bewilderment, anger, and empathy (thankfully, more laughs than the yucky stuff.) We all agreed that it’s not what you experience but who’s along for the ride.

There’s an upside as well. No matter where I travel in the future, be it other states, Canada, England, Scotland, Ireland, Switzerland, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Morocco, Cameroon or Brunei, I have family, and that’s pretty darn cool.

So I refuse to say good-bye to any of you. Thanks for the past two years; it was great craic. Let’s meet up someday soon for a pint or a wee dram, and we’ll pick up right where we left off. You guys rock.

Safe travels to all… this summer and beyond.

Peace out.

Khalas.