It was hard. In the last few years, I've befriended some amazing people in Eugene; it's hard to move on, to feel motivated to leave such a welcoming environment. I will miss my coworkers at the UO who have been so supportive and encouraging; I will miss my friends at Duma, particularly Christine and Aaron, who have been so open and supportive of my growth; I will miss my friends in our UO social network who are such creative and fun and inspired people; I will miss my mentoring coordinators and directors, and especially my darling mentee and his family; I will miss my family who have always been such a loving and warm part of life (even if I didn't spend nearly as much time with them while I lived in Eugene as would have liked); I will miss my parents and brother who are my keystone; I will miss Richard who has been such a beloved friend and the normalcy in my day. I hate saying goodbye and don't think I did it all that well. There are a million things I still wanted to say to each person, a hundred little "thank you for you" cards I mean to write. I don't know what drew me to put Rio Grande Valley as a choice destination; I don't know what is in store. This is the hardest thing I've ever done and I'm terrified and I'm saddened to be leaving everyone who is so dear to me. My only consolation is that it won't be forever, that other people move away and are able to keep in touch, that this will be a good experience for me and worth the change.
The title of this entry comes from a very special gift from my friend Katie, who had won a picture with these words on it. As I was talking to her about my changes, I said that I'm hoping to find some more peace... and love... and joy in the coming months, that's what I need (yes, I was reading the sign, but it was true!). And Katie was generous enough to give this to me as a parting gift. So that's what I'm after, but it's always what I hope I leave behind, and what I hope those I love have in their lives.
So, as my friend Elizabeth used to chat me as a sign off "TTFN" (that's "Ta Ta For Now," as Tigger said...). Not goodbye. Just TTFN.
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