Modern Day Nomads: Goodbyes

Goodbyes are tough for Modern Day Nomads (MDN).  Just because we've said them more than your average person, it never gets any easier.  Goodbyes mark end of chapters.  New ones are left to be written ... and they will be written well.  However, it doesn't make turning the last page of the current chapters' end any easier.

Several years ago, my parents came to visit us.  They left Vienna on a train bound for Germany and eventually back to Oklahoma.  As we stood on the platform, waving goodbye and trying to be brave, I can still feel that sinking feeling in my gut as the train pulled away.  Despite my 40 something year old body, I felt like a little girl lost ... and desperately wanting to run with the train until I could no longer keep up its pace.

To the outsider, it's just another goodbye.  You will see them again.  Yet, the outsider doesn't know the loss of always wondering if this will be the last time you see those faces or hug those necks.  The outsider doesn't know what it means to sacrifice living safe.  These once a year - at best - visits have to encompass a whole lot of daily living in a short period of time.  That  says nothing of missing the passing of birthdays, school events, sad days, happy days, celebrations, promotions, just because visits, dinner out, dinner in ... you miss them all.

As our friends leave, another goodbye begins.  These goodbyes are the tough goodbyes.  What outsiders don't understand is that we, MDN, form our own ... family.  When those with whom we share the same physical DNA are oceans away, you develop bonds with those with whom you share the same spiritual DNA.  We come from different places and have different backgrounds but our common MDN status makes us all equal.

This week we went to our friends house to gives homes to some of their belongings that will now reside in our home.  As we hauled off their treasures to treasure them at our house, we parted at the Ubahn (subway) station.  This wasn't our last goodbye.  But, as I watched them ... all five of them ... walk away from our family the tears tumbled down without warning.  Here goes another Nomad into the great unknown.  We've all been there.  They will be fine because they trust One who knows the future ... their future.  They are merely taking steps, one by one, to find out what the future holds.

"I know the plans I have for you ... plans to prosper you, not to harm you.  Plans to give you a hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11