Saying Goodbye

This weekend at our court potluck we formally said goodbye to Makiko and Yoshi and their three kids. They were leaving back for Japan on Monday because Yoshi's mother is very ill. It was a bit sudden and so we didn't have much time to process them leaving.

Once we had all eaten, we had a prayer time for them, took a few pictures, and I gave them a framed picture of all the court kids. It was hard because I felt like we had really connected with them after our parent meeting in February. I was feeling so bad for Joel, his best friend is Soh, whom he would have to say goodbye to.

After the potluck and Easter egg hunt, Makiko rushed back home and continued to pack. I can't imagine packing up my entire household in a matter of days. Joel and Kezia spent the entire day outside playing with Soh, Shiki, and Kazu. It was a bit bittersweet for me seeing them all play so well together.

On Sunday after we came home from Tim and Gertrud's, Makiko asked if we had supper plans. Since we didn't, she said that they would like to go for supper with us and Budi and Lily and all our kids. I was quite surprised and honored that they wanted to have their last supper with us. We were home for about 90 minutes before we packed up our kids and headed out to the Japanese restaurant. It was one of those places where they cook the food right in front of you. All the kids were giddy with excitement as the chefs tossed their knives and lit up the grill with fire. I have never eaten so much, it was all so good. I knew that I would have a stomach ache from eating two large meals in one day.
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After we returned home, all the kids headed to Nate and Maddy's to play Wii. It's been a weekend tradition for the last few months, and Nate and Maddy wanted one last time with all the kids together. We could hear them laughing and screaming from across the courtyard, but at 9:30 we had to go over and retrieve our kids. I was dreading that because I knew we'd have to say goodbye to Soh, Shiki, Kazu and then Makiko and Yoshi. We smalled talked with Nate and Maddy before we went over to say bye. Joel and Kezia gave some hugs and kisses and then Carl and I went in to say farewell.

It's weird how attached you can get to a family over just a few months. I think I was sad for myself because I would miss Makiko, her smile and her sushi! I was sad that Kezia and Kazu wouldn't have the chance to deepen their friendship. I was sad that Asha wouldn't be held anymore by Shiki. I was sad for Joel because he was saying goodbye to his best buddy. And I was sad that Yoshi was leaving school, packing up his family, and moving back to Japan to care for his dying mother.

Maybe it's harder to be left behind when someone moves away. You are keenly aware of their absence whatever turn you take. Ever time I went outside I look across the courtyard and saw a closed door, and I listened and it was too quiet. Is that how some of our friends felt when we left Winnipeg?

I woke up at 5 a.m. on Monday when Asha stirred and went to look out my kitchen window. The light was on at Makiko and Yoshi's, and I knew they were getting ready to go to the airport. This morning when I was getting breakfast, I looked out again, but knew that they were already gone. In the morning, Joel puttered around but by the afternoon he was heading over to Soh's, only to realize after a few steps his friend was gone.

Parting is such sorrow...