They're Leaving On A Jet Plane

It's only 8 am and I've already been in tears today.

My parents are flying out of the country today and, barring something happening with my grandparents or my sister giving birth, will not be back for two years.

I am blessed with amazing parents. I can't put it into words right now because I really don't want to end up blubbering all over my desk and facing my first class with mascara streaking my cheeks. It's hard enough just writing the words they are leaving and I will not see them in person for a very long time.

My sons will be 4 and 5 1/2 by the time they return. My heart aches for them, because they have such a tight bond with my parents, and they don't really understand what it means that Grandma and Grandpa are leaving for Africa. Especially The Widget, who I fully expect will spend quite some time, days and maybe weeks, wandering about the house calling Bampa! Bampa! before he finally understands that Bampa will not be showing up for a big hug and a romp on the rug and cuddles before bed. DramaBoy is going to miss Grandma's lap and long bedtime stories from The Big Picture Story Bible, with her endless patience with his desire to flip back and forth as the words and pictures in one story remind him of those from another...

We will be doing all we can to keep that bond going. My Mother's Day gift from my parents was a web cam. They only have dial-up in the town where they live, but when they get to some of the bigger cities, such as Abidjan or Bamako or Ouagadougou, they can Skype. This means that my children will be able to see their grandparents from time to time rather than only talking on the phone or having emails read to them.

But my heart still aches, for my children, for myself, for my parents themselves, for all the friends and family who must say Goodbye again and again so that my parents can fulfill God's calling in their lives. I know that I am not alone and they have not abandoned me. My father said this morning as I clung to him, You know if you need us, we'll come back. And I know they would. I have faith in their love for me and my family. I have faith that they are doing what is right. But. Those who say faith and following God are the easy way out have no idea what they're saying. Faith is hard, so very hard.

And so is saying Goodbye.