Leaving on a jet plane...

Goodbyes are hard.  To say goodbye to people you love is never easy.  Last summer I said goodbye to my friends and family and got on a plane to Japan.  It was difficult knowing that I wouldn't see them for a year, but I knew that in one year I'd be returning with memories, stories and pictures I'd be excited to share.

Today, that time has come and as I sit here on an airplane somewhere between Nagoya, Japan and Detroit, USA, I know now that when I left last year, I didn't realize how hard it would be to say goodbye to Japan.  It's been an emotionally draining week as I finished up each portion of my work here.  While I'm just as excited to see my friends and family as I thought I'd be, it's an excitement that tempered with a sadness at leaving a city, community and people that I've come to love.  I do hope to come back to visit one day, but even so, it was difficult to say goodbye to people and places that I may not see again. 

I've had a wonderful year.  It wasn't always easy and some days I really had to work hard to remind myself of my purpose and reasons for coming to Japan.  However, the positive and the amazing far outweigh the difficult moments and as I look back over the past year, I find it hard to believe some of the experiences that I've had. 

I'm sure my fellow YASCers will understand how I'm feeling.  I'm sure that this year has changed me but I don't yet know how or in what way.  I think that I will be finding that out as I settle down in Virginia and begin my seminary career.  I am truly blessed to have had the opportunity to go for a year abroad.  I am grateful for everyone who has supported me and helped me to get to Japan.   Thank You!

This morning as we drove to the airport, a typhoon came and caused the cancellations of all flights except, miraculously, Delta flights.  We were delayed for about 6 hours but we managed to take off and if all goes well with my connecting flight, I should get to Boston by midnight tonight. 

I've only been gone six hours but I'm already beginning to miss Japan.  While I am anxious and excited to start seminary at VTS in a few weeks, I think that a part of me will remain in Nagoya for a while. 

During a teary goodbye at the airport today, one of my friends here put it best.  "This is NOT Sayonara.  There will be Konnichiwa again".

Peace,
Christen