SO Many Emotions!

Hi everyone!

It’s been a while since I’ve posted during the week, but this has been an interesting week and there are some things I wanted to share with you all.

First of all, my parents arrived safely in Japan on Wednesday and spent yesterday touring Tokyo.  We will meet today after I get done at work and then spend the weekend together!  I am really looking forward to seeing them and spending time together exploring a new part of Japan (we’re taking the bullet train to Hiroshima!).  I am also excited to hear what they think of Japan so far, as I absolutely love it!

Secondly, this week has been a flood of many different emotions.  I began packing my suitcase, and today I mailed a few boxes of things home.  This makes me feel ready to just be home already, but at the same time, I’m wondering how in the world I am ever going to say goodbye to these kids.  While some can certainly be frustrating and some days aren’t exactly easy, these kids have really worked their way into my heart and I know I am going to be a hot mess of tears on my last day with them.  Funny to think back to being a mess of tears when I said goodbye to everyone at home, now I’m going to be crying just as bad when I say goodbye to the people (not just the kids) here.  Saying goodbye before I left was hard even though I knew I’d be seeing those people again, but saying goodbye here will most likely be forever, which adds a whole new level of emotions to things.  This is definitely a life-changing experience that I am glad I took advantage of.  I feel that I have grown so much this summer, and am thankful that this opportunity exists.  I don’t claim to know much about the military way of life, but I will say I am much more familiar now than I was when I left (honestly, I didn’t know much of anything upon arrival here).  The fleet has been out the whole time we’ve been here, but some of the ships are coming in this weekend.  Yesterday, the dad of one of the girls in our room came to pick her up for the first time since we’ve been here.  As he kneeled on the floor hugging her (with a rose for her) and her mom videotaped this reunion, I was overwhelmed with many emotions.  With goosebumps all over and tears in my eyes, I smiled as she got her bag out of her cubby and left with BOTH of her parents.  It’s hard for me to imagine being without my dad (or mom) for a few months at a time.  My admiration for these people grows more and more as I witness these homecomings and hear about how excited the kids are to see their daddies this weekend.  I love to hear them say “2 more days till my daddy gets home” and to tell me about what they are going to do with their daddies.  I can’t even imagine how difficult their lives are.  Being gone for a few months has definitely been hard for me, but I don’t anticipate it ever happening again.  These people must say those goodbyes over and over, and to their children!  Please say a prayer that all of these reunions are happy ones and that they readjust smoothly.

As my time here winds down (I fly out in 15 days), I am left wondering how I am ever going to keep my emotions in check as I leave Japan.  I am also wondering how the transition back to the States will go.  Although I don’t feel like I’ve made many personal changes, I am guessing I have changed more than I realize and I pray these are all good changes that will transition smoothly back into my life at home.

I will let you know how the weekend in Hiroshima goes.  Wishing you all a wonderful weekend as well!

- Becky