GOODBYES

In a few short days, we will be leaving Georgia to move back home. We are very excited about the move, one we've had in mind for 4 years. It's an emotional time, however, thinking about all that we will miss. I have been modifying this list of goodbyes for the last few weeks, thinking of things we will miss and things we won't miss. I'm sure many of you know the Indigo Girls' song Southland in the Springtime. I have had the verse about Georgia running through my head the last few days. It goes like this:

Georgia nights are softer than a whisper.
Beneath the quilt somebody's mother made by hand.
With the farmland like a tapestry, passed down through generations
And the peach trees stitched across the land.

There'll be cider up near Helen off the roadside.
And warm peanuts in a bag to warm your fingers.
And the smoke from the chimneys meets its maker in the sky
In a song winter wrote, whose melody lingers.

And there's something about the southland in the springtime
Where the waters flow with confidence and reason. . .

(if you'd like to listen to this lovely song, go here, scroll down to Southland in the Springtime, and click the play button)

Not only are we saying goodbye to Georgia and all it has held for us these last few years, but we are also saying goodbye to this blog. I know I don't have to end it when we move, but I started it when we moved here, and it just seems right to do so.

Goodbye, Georgia.
Goodbye early springs and late falls.
Goodbye long, hot summers.
Goodbye one-day drives to mountains or the ocean.
Goodbye spending much of our time in the car.
Goodbye suburbia.
Goodbye Willy's.
Goodbye Atlanta Mennonite Fellowship.
Goodbye long drives to see family.
Goodbye road-side stands with peaches and pecans.
Goodbye Life friends, all of you.
Goodbye Skyla, August, Jude, Jen, Les, Sara, Tim, Eryn, Ely, Finn, Paul, Andrea, Rick, Renata, Lily, Faith, Navya, and all the others.
Goodbye dear Debbie, who has taken such tender care of both my body and soul, and easily won the love of my children.
Goodbye Zoo Atlanta, Georgia Aquarium, and Atlanta Botanical Gardens.
Goodbye "building castles" in the city.
Goodbye no sidewalks to ride bikes on.
Goodbye big spacious yard.
Goodbye big spacious house.
Goodbye big energy bill.
Goodbye Chattahoochee Nature Center.
Goodbye Mountain View Library.
Goodbye Chattahoochee River.
Goodbye studies, stealing the time of our husband and Daddy.
Goodbye daily birdsongs.
Goodbye pollen showers.
Goodbye ants who stay and stay and stay.
Goodbye gigantic leaping/flying cockroaches!
Goodbye neighbors we have talked to a few times.
Goodbye gas-powered mower.
Goodbye Dr. Robert, Dr. Shawn, Dr. Karen. Our great chirporactors!
Goodbye bluegrass night on Red Top Mountain.
Goodbye hike-swim combo at Red Top too.
Goodbye Harry's salad bar.
Goodbye bedroom that holds the birthing energy of Quinn.
Goodbye blog readers all over the world.
Goodbye Red Clay Wings.

BOGOTA, take 7

One of the best things about my sister's family's experience, IMHO, is the kids' school, which is how it should be. Their school is absolutely beautiful. After the kids gave us a tour, my sister asked my nephew what he thought I liked best, and he responded, "the steps." I must have marveled at the steps (and, well, they were quite beautiful!). I also loved the quaint classrooms, which were so open and airy, the cozy feel of the thatched roofs, the two big school dogs wandering around, the horse stables, horse riding arena, and watching Abby demonstrate the acrobatics she does ON THE HORSE'S BACK!!! I loved hearing the kids speaking in Spanish, and knowing they understood it. I loved the gymnasium, which was open to the outside, and the soccer fields overlooking the mountains, and the miniature soccer goals in the preschool playground. I loved the snack bars incorporated into the playgrounds, and the human sized chess board. I loved that dance and chess are required subjects. They have chess homework! Oh, goodness. . . I could go on and on. Yes, I loved the steps, and so much more!

BOGOTA, take 6

While we spent much of the time at home with the family, which was cozy and safe and so nice, we also ventured out into the city a bit. We experienced the complications of getting around a city of 8 million people, and there's no way we could have done it without speaking Spanish. Even in the middle of the day on a weekday, the streets and buses were packed with people. I kept telling Jen how I couldn't imagine their lives when they were living in the midst of this! Only part of a day in it was overwhelming to me.

One thing we that was clear, and that we've noticed in other parts of Latin America, was that there is a level of respect for pregnant women, children, and the elderly that we don't see to the same degree here. There are designated seats on all the buses for those listed above. Even if the bus was packed (which it mostly was), everyone shifted and adjusted to make room for us to get to the blue seats. Whenever there was a line (especially in the airports), there was a separate line for these people. So, even when there was a long, long wait for the majority of people, everyone shooed us up to the front of the line respectfully. In contrast, when we came back into the US, we stood in line for customs for about a 1/2 hour with a screaming 1 year old and 2 squirmy kids. It was miserable, and the only thing the people knew to do was stare. Not helpful. We were told that having children with you even keeps you safer in the city, because no one with bother you, out of respect.

Anyway, our lovely hosts took us downtown, to some wonderful restaurants, to a children's museum, the botanical gardens, the parke del chico, to the home of their friends, and my sister and I even got some time on our own in the artisan market.

One thing that I appreciated about visiting an MCC family is the inspiration for simplicity. After spending 10 days in their lives, I wonder who really needs more than 2 knives in their kitchen? who really needs a clothes dryer for that matter? or a car?