It's Time For Moving On My Friend

There was a song my high school back in Ohio sang at every graduation called It's Time For Movin' On by Don Besig. I remember graduation being bittersweet as we were excited for what lied ahead, yet sad for what we were leaving behind. I am not sure why, but the past few weeks with the upcoming repatriation of some of my closest friends, I have really been thinking about the lyrics of that song. I have to admit, the song is a wee bit cheesy. However, it still seems to sum up how I have felt the past few weeks.

We've travelled a long, long time together
And there have been alot of good things on the way,
But now, it's almost time for leavin'
And the things I feel inside are very hard to say.
 

But it's time for moving on, my friend; hold back all the tears and sorrow,
It finally is time, to go our separate ways.
And I want to wish you well, my friend,
As we search for new tomorrows.
Go, as you must, but please,
Don't forget the yesterdays.

Remember the dreams we dreamed together,
All of the joys we shared at getting to today.
Now just one time, before you leave,
Reach out, and take my hand,
And help me walk away.

For it's time for moving on, my friend; hold back all the tears and sorrow,
It finally is time, to go our separate ways.
And I want to wish you well, my friend,
As we search for new tomorrows.
Go, as you must, but please... Don't forget the yesterdays.

When you are an expat, those around you become more than your friend –– they become your family.  We are thrown into a situation where we live 10,000 miles away from our family and friends and only have each other to rely upon. When our child is sick or we are missing our family back home, it is those around us that swoop in. When we are struggling, it is those around us that carry us through those trials. When we feel like we don't fit into our old life anymore, it is those around us that can sympathize. (I promise I will not burst out into the song "We Are Family", although it really would be an appropriate time) When these people leave, our support system is broken. A family member is missing. And to be honest, it just. plain. sucks.

It is hard knowing we may never see some of the people who are leaving ever again. Many times they live in a different country, where visiting may be nearly impossible. Luckily there is technology like Facebook and Skype that can help ease the distance. Others we promise to visit or keep in touch, but as everyone settles into their new lives, busyness sets in and keeping in touch becomes scarce.

I am not sure why this year is harder than last year. Maybe it is because I have been here another year and had that time to grow closer to people. Maybe it is because I see how some of the people leaving will deeply affect my kids. Maybe it is because my one of my closest friends here is leaving, and I will be all alone in the Scarab Heights compound. Maybe it is because this year was a hard between my injury in Vietnam and the disaster in Japan, which made us all lean upon each other more. Or maybe it is because I fear next year we may be the ones saying goodbye.

So to all those who are leaving this year, all those who are about to embark upon a great, new adventure, Go, as you must, but please... Don't forget the yesterdays.