Today, just one week until my move to London, I'm writing of goodbyes to family, to friends, and to home.. to comfort, to love, and to peace. Two weeks ago, I hugged the necks of my extended family on my mother's side and it was slightly more difficult than I'd imagined. We are incredibly lucky because we are very close to one another; we talk frequently and visit each other on more than just the annual holidays. Saying goodbye to this group of hilarious, crazy, and loving people made me remember how truly blessed I am to have a family larger than just two cool parents and a funny 'little' brother. I know they are supporting me and praying for me; they are a support system stronger than I could dream of. So.. See all y'all real soon and I love you!!
Oh my dear friends, my loud friends, my sweet friends. My home friends, childhood friends, college friends, and my new found friend... Goodbye is not an option. This summer has been spent in a whirlwind of road trips, beach trips, dinners and drinks, phone calls, Skype calls, laughter, tears, and love.. so many quick Hello's and even faster Goodbye's. All of these moments of wonderfulness and happiness lead me to say that this has been one of my best summers ever. I've traveled to and been visited from the North, South, East, and West and it means so much to me that I've got friends who are willing to make the effort to call, text, visit, and love me with all their heart. I'm so thankful for each one of you and the memories that wake me with a smile each and every morning and put me to sleep with a hope and a strength each and every night.
Driving hours and singing Weezer, floating the river and talking about everything 'under the sun', drinking cheap red wine and our teeth turning dark, watching a shooting star and wishing on love, dancing at the front of the stage and singing Wagon Wheel, crying around a single candle and giving compliments, being too tired to move from the couch but not too tired to laugh, yelling Chi O cheers and talking until we lose our voice, beating you at cards and laughing at your competitiveness, remembering at our past mistakes and dreaming for our futures...Most of all, just the memory of being surrounded by friends who amaze me with their strength, love, hope, and success. So to my friends, all my friends... Y'all better not forget about me. I'll see you crazies soon and I love you with all my heart.
To my small, southern city.. my little slice of Heaven and humidity. I have left you before but this time it will be a greater leap. A year away from you, the place where I have lived since I was 2 years old. My parents and sweet brother, my 'second families', my best friends' parents who treat me like I'm their daughter, my car, my restaurants, my shops, my roads, my home, my room, my bed, my dog... Each of these are a comfort that I will part with in just a week but I know that I am not saying Goodbye but just a cheerful See y'all soon, I love you and I will miss you dearly.
Goodbye is permanent. Life is not. Nothing in life is forever, there is rarely an aspect of our lives that we cannot change or at least try to change. However, patience is sometimes the easiest way to find change...and trust. Trust that all will be taken care of and all will be okay. Whether we trust in ourselves or a higher power, having faith that all things happen for a reason and will give us certainty and comfort in our lives.
Cheers y'all, Lis xx
