Parting is such sweet sorrow… perhaps for Romeo and Juliet, for us, I’m not quite sure. Almost nothing is harder than saying good bye to people you care about, even if you are about to take the most exciting trip of your life, even if its something you are 100% sure you want to do. Maybe the first goodbye is the worst, but emotionally, I feel like I’m at the edge of a waterfall about to go over. I am overwhelmed by the idea of saying goodbye to everyone we know – to our colleagues, our friends and our family – literally everyone we know. Everyone is an overwhelming word. Of course we’ll be back to the States and I sincerely hope others will come visit us, but its likely that over the natural course of life, some of these people we may never see again.
February 16th was technically our first goodbye. Long time friends from NYC, Chester and Catherine, came to visit in honor of Danny’s birthday and after we dropped them off at the train station it was hard to ignore the momentum this trip has taken on. No matter what, we are going. We have quit our jobs, we have sold our apartment….We have begun to say goodbye. We are closing in on that waterfall.
Admittedly I may be reading too much into this and acting all “emotional”. I mean its not like we’re moving to Siberia or Antarctica. Hopefully most everyone we will see again, but there is such an element of unknown this time that I’ve never felt before. Going away to college was difficult, but I knew what was in store for me there. Going away to Italy was difficult, but I knew when I would be home. Going away this time, well its just completely unknown. No return date, no expectations of the journey to come. I begin to think like this, and well I get teary and next thing I know I’m on the verge of a major tear fest.
Our second goodbye came this weekend, and perhaps because it was family it was more difficult than the first. After dropping our cousin Sharone off at the bus, we held each others hand and I said, “Its here, we are really doing this.” One squeeze of reassurance in my right hand and the tears faded away to a smile. “Its here! We are really doing this!”
I can see the edge of the waterfall now. We leave our home in a few days and while I admit to being terrified, I am equally excited and happy that we are following our dream. Friday we jump.
Sean says
Trust me, it’s worth all the emotional breakdowns. After a while you forget about that and are able to enjoy the journey!
Jillian says
Definitely looking forward to the journey. If you are still in China by the time we get there we’ll have to meet up. Sounds like you are doing a lot of traveling around there!
Mom says
Wow-your analogy is so “refreshing” it almost makes me want to take the plunge! Watch out for shallow waters, but enjoy!
Mom Tobias
Alma Tobias says
Dear Danny and Jillian,
Your decision to do this is so wonderful. It takes a lot of courage to leave everything but you have each other and that is the most important part of your experience. For the rest of your lives you will have something to share and remember. Bon Voyage, L’Hitraot, and I wish you a wonderful adventure. With all my love, Grandma Alma