Why? (Family and Friends)

“Truly great friends are hard to find,
difficult to leave, and impossible to forget.”--G.Randolph

And so, over the next few weeks I have to decide what is important enough to pack up and bring to Suriname and what must start collecting dust under the already innumerable stacks of boxes in the family garage. The first thing that has already started collecting dust is some of the friends and family I already have to leave behind.

For better or worse, in January I already had to say goodbye to one of my good lads. Kevin, an old roommate from Chico State, is in the midst of an epic study abroad on my old stomping grounds at Brighton University in England--God Bless the Queen, Sussex-U still sucks and go Man-U! When Kevin left, it was a pretty awkward situation because he was the first person I would not see in a very long time and I was still five months prior to the start of service. I was definitely bummed to see Kevin go but I am very pleased that he is enjoying University and travelling. And perhaps, Kevin leaving was a bit of a blessing in disguise. Don't get me wrong, I'd have loved to tackle the chap in a few more games of pong but his early departure helped me realize the reality of the situation.

And gradually over time, I have been on a farewell tour saying goodbyes to more and more of my friends, family and co-workers. It started in Arizona, parting ways with my mother's relatives--grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, who I will probably not be able to see again until after service.

After kicking up that desert dust, we flew back home where I had a month left of work. Making minimum wage while the debt and bills were piling up, I had to swallow the pride, roll up the sleeves, work morning and night and do what I had to do to make the ends meet. And although I won't miss the work, I will definitely miss the people. I have a lot of respect for the folks I worked alongside, particularly the recovery crew who were there night in, night out helping me get through closing--as well as Kevin who was stuck doing closing with me, especially during Christmas. And of course, I can not forget to mention Drew, bruh-bruh, the sole survivor from our hiree class who made the afternoon shifts a lot of fun. With no work left to be done, there was only one more place to bid adeu, my home away from home: Chico.

(The next blog, on my times in college at Chico, will be posted on facebook due to the abnormal length)