Still Kicking

...and a little screaming, too.

I'm not quite ready to leave.  I still have wine to buy (the Army will ship a "collection" of at least 100 bottles; I'm up to 40), last minute souvenirs for the house to collect, friends to see one last time....I need another month.  Just one more month will do.

I was telling someone yesterday that I've gotten so comfortable here that I've been afraid I'd be a giant ball of nerves and tears on the day we move back to the States.

So many places unvisited.

So many photos untaken.

So many friends unmade.

But then I remind myself of what I have to look forward to - a brand new house with cabinets and counters and a garbage disposal and a backyard!  And my baking drawers....ohh, those baking drawers....

And then I remind myself again that we can come back in a few years for a visit.  To get my gelato fix, see the places we didn't get to see the first time, and of course, be reminded of the things I won't miss.

It's about balance, this moving thing.  Holding on to the things we've learned here, the memories we've made, the friends we won't have to let go of but will rarely see again.  Focusing on that light as we near the end of the tunnel, knowing there are more things for us to learn, more memories to make, and more friends to broaden our circle.  Remember that song in Girl Scouts?

Make new friends, but keep the old
One is silver and the other's gold.


I love the life I've lived here, but 4 1/2 years so far away from family and friends and my first language and the comfort that it all provides....I can only miss it for so long.

Let's go.