It's difficult to say goodbye

This morning, there are tears. Not because of unsightly mosquito bites or watching more beloved friends consume grasshoppers, or the lack of food in the house (again) but because of loving and losing. 


The first to jump ship was Dennis and Karen, my neighbours whose door is always open, and who normally has something on the stove. D&K have offered parental support and friendship over 3 months, and although they have only gone home to the States for 2 months over Christmas, Sunday was a day of mourning for me! Remember: I feel like every person in my life prior to Aug 2010 has been stripped away, so finding people who care and laugh and open their home is a mega big deal. 


And now the second departure is imminent... Jon, Charlotte and Zach Temple who came to work with Oasis for 3 months are nearing the end and heading back to Blighty next week. When you meet visitors at the airport and try to help bridge the gap between the UK and the shock of Africa, you have NO idea these jet-lagged people will become friends. Temple time has gone fast, and I will miss them very deeply. Not only are they friends for coffee, but they are excellent bloggers whose instalments have evoked praise and love for God, mingled with laughter and tears. It is right to go home and live a life under different principles and with different goals - heck, I'll be doing the same in a year, BUT it is still sad to wave goodbye. My loss is Leamington's almighty gain.


And so, to quote some of Plankeye's best lyrics:


It's difficult to say goodbye after only one life. The rain will fall down replenishing all of our broken dreams, and this burning tree that's withering will bloom again...


Goodbye, walk away it's time to say goodbye
I never took the time to stop and realize that death takes many forms even while alive.